AIBU to think it's ok for disabled to park in P&C parking spaces

[SparkyStar84]

After the fun with the last post, going from experience too, I wondered how many would support the notion of the buses legislation AND a disabled person parking in a P&C space where ever, if the disabled spaces are full.

Technically we have the right too with a badge.

I've had issues before where the person with me has parked in a P&C space, without DC present, parents have got quite ratty.

With a blue badge you can legally park in any roadside or government parking space, including a loading zone, except one designated to a specific number plate or for a doctor. Though I don't know the law actually applies in a private car park, just imagine what the Daily Fail would say if any supermarket ticketed a disabled person for using a P & C

CHJRnis a loading zone different to a loading bay?

You are not allowed to park in a loading bay with a blue badge

'In my time' p&c bays existed, yes.
(Circa 2004 far back in the mists of time)

They were generally always filled with twats in sports cars not wanting to get them dinged, so as the bays were a nice to have but not essential I found ways to manage. Just as I did on the bus or when I needed the loo rather than abusing facilities put there for disabled people. It was tough but there were other options.

Now I'm a wheelchair user there are no options other than to use a blue badge or p&c bay, too use the wheelchair bay on a bus or the disabled loo. Able bodied people abusing these things makes my life even harder than it needs to be. It's already far harder than having 2 kids under 15 months.

You are not allowed to park in a loading bay with a blue badge

True. Iirc the leaflet says it's up to the local authority whether they allow this, but they certainly don't in my town. It makes sense to me. Even quite a big people carrier, parked on a double yellow line, is going to make less of an obstruction than a dirty great truck parked on the same yellow line because the loading bay it should be in is full of cars (or just one car strategically placed in the dead middle). In my town there is nearly always a BB bay adjacent to a loading bay as the users are likely to have similar access needs. Sadly we have failed, so far, to introduce those oh-so-necessary "using the phone" bays, but never mind, you can always use the disabled bay for that, nobody will mind if you're only two minutes

"I think a lot of you should go and take some fresh air, you are so angry and bitter, ranting on your keyboard."

Ha!

On that note, I wonder if these parents who can't manage at all without P&C spaces ever go to a children's activity place or a children's hospital?!

I'm glad you're all so positive, last time I discussed it the parents were pretty militant about the disabled person being wrong.

anyone who gives a disabled person shit for where they park is a cunt this absolutely.

Last time you discussed it?

Can I ask why you are starting all these threads about wheelchairs v parents? The last one was a tad goady too.

I'm glad you're all so positive, last time I discussed it the parents were pretty militant about the disabled person being wrong. Glad you're so smug. I cried when I saw this thread. I was completely unnecessary, you may only have been here ten minutes but it's not hard to see how often it's been discussed.

Dawn OP is shit stirring - otherwise why two similar threads?

Disabled people should of course be able to use P&C spaces if the disabled bays are full. I just kinda dislike the attitude that everyone should be able to use then as parents chose to have kids, why should they get special treatment, they get extra space to fit buggies so I need extra space to not scratch the door of my car, etx...

Ive seen 'joint' disabled/p and c spaces ......which has caused no end of issues over entitlement and has produced some spectacularly nasty confrontation

Yes Livia, you're right.

Wanking not if the disabled bays are full, if they need to park there. My local Tesco has P&C spaces nearer to the store than the BB spaces. If it's raining I will use the P&C spaces as dd is inclined to hypothermia.

joint spaces sounds a very stupid idea as parenting is pretty dam hard, physically, for maybe 2 years max until child walks where as having to use a wheelchair is pretty dam hard Indefinatly.

Wanking But, like it or not, everyone can use them - they are a courtesy not a legally protected right.

Therefore people without children, people with disabilities and people who struggle to get out of their car in a normal sized space can use them.

Most people without children don't use them but that is being considerate - they could if they wanted to

There is a big difference between "can" and "should"

But, like it or not, everyone can use them - they are a courtesy not a legally protected right.

Yes everyone can. If they should or not is another question entirely... But on these discussions it tends to turn to 'why do parents get special treatment' 'in my day parents struggled to even leave the house, its unfair that parents today get a few things that make their lives easier' 'how dare supermarkets do things to make things easier for people who are likely to be struggling more than other people' and such.

I don't drive so this doesn't affect me at all. Just quite annoying and predictable.

However
anyone who gives a disabled person shit for where they park is a cunt

Should really have been this particular thread ended. Surely this cannot be argued against?

What always puzzles me in debates like this are the people who see those in wheelchairs as somehow different to them and their able children.

They don't seem to realise that a huge proportion of those using wheelchairs and with broken spines weren't born that way but accidents incidents and illnesses intervened.

One crash right out of the blue and yes you are one of those disabled people.

Are they really so thick they don't realise that it could be them or their loved ones in a split second. Anytime and any day

Or an immune system going up the swannee....

Not RTFT but think it's fine for people with disabilities to park in P&C spaces if no blue badge spaces left. Actually, I also think it's ok for people with temporary issues such as having a broken leg and therefore needing crutches to park there too.

In fact I don't think we need P&C spaces, we just need larger spaces.

Livelovebehappy
So my question is; why does a none wheelchair user need a) more space, or b) to be parked near the store?
a) They might walk with crutches, a frame or a stick and their disability makes it impossible to get in and out of the car without opening the door fully.
b) Their condition might mean that they can walk short distances before experiencing pain or having breathing difficulties. Extra walking might mean they have to spend the rest of their day in bed recovering. They might be blind so are far more vulnerable in the carpark than they would be in a shop. It's very difficult to guide a blind person through a carpark.
The disabled person might sit and wait in the shop while someone else does the shopping. They might need to stop and rest, They might use a shop provided wheelchair or scooter.

mambono5 you don't have to get the baby's car seat out to get the baby out.
And how do you manage when you visit any other places where they don't have P&C spaces? They are generally only in supermarkets and multistories. Most other carparks you just have to manage in a standard space.
If you don't have enough space to take baby of the car seat, or baby in car seat, you have to turn round and go home too.
Twaddle. You reach through to the back of the care and undo the seat belt. It may be a bit awkward sometimes but if you can get out, you can get a baby out - even if it's through the window. You do not HAVE to take the car seat out - that is to suit your convenience.
A P&C space IS a luxury.

Ikea's p&c spaces are the same as their disabled spaces so both groups can use the same spaces. To me, this is ideal.
No that is not ideal and I'm pretty sure it's not even true.
Last time I was at Ikea I was definitely parked in a disabled bay.
Disabled bays are required and protected by law.

You could be a hideous person who kills puppies. Just cos you have a back brace does than make you more deserving to be able to get out than the saintly, charitable mum of 5?
That has to be one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read on here.
The disabled person is ALWAYS entitled to the space, regardless of personality!

No problem with disabled person (with or without BB) using p&c space (obvs)
But getting baby & toddler in and out and doing their seat belts up does require a bit more room so if i'm in a regular space and need to rest my car door on the car parked next to mine i am happy to do that too.
The only thing i don't like is when you have baby, toddler and trolley and no where to stop to unload everything into the car but the roadway bit. Much prefer the carparks with a central walkway bit down the middle of the rows of parked cars. Have that and wider normal spaces you wouldn't need p&c spaces

LovelyBranches I think maybe you should have a chat with your surgeon and ask if they'd be willing to write a letter to the blue badge people explaining how difficult your situation will be. Or someone else maybe? Our health visitor supported us in getting ds's first blue badge (it was her suggestion) and I'm sure it made a big difference to have a letter from a professional. Could be worth a try anyway.

I just think we need larger spaces, and people who can park!
My younger two are 2 and under and we very rarely use p&c spaces.
But so many times we park the car so we can get out of it safely and without hitting other cars, to come back and find that we are literally like a sardine in a tin! Because people can not park!
A barbie couldnt get into my car, let alone me and 2 young children in car seats.