To park in one of hundred of disabled spaces where there isn’t a single P&C space?

[MickeyMouseShithouse]

I have two children in car seats and I struggling getting them out in one particular multi storey car park local to me. The thing is, this multi story has hundreds.. hundreds(!) of disabled spaces that the majority of are always empty, but not a single parent and child space for a shopping centre?!

Its started to effect my anxiety and puts me off going there but it’s really the only half-decent place I can get anything locally.

WIBU to park in a disabled spot? Not even one close to the entrance, just any of them!

or who do I contact to question why there aren’t any p&c spaces?

it’s so frustrating, I can’t imagine there are a couple hundred disabled people going shopping to the same shopping centre in the same day.. but I can imagine there are are least 1 family with a car seat/pushchair!

There is a decent chance you would get a fine for parking in a disabled bay so not worth the risk.
Morally? Honestly if there really are always many empty spaces I actually think it isn't so abhorrent to want to use one when more space would be so practically useful? If there was any realistic chance a genuine disabled person wouldn't get one then no don't do it of course
Do you have a large car? Is there any scope to get a smaller one?

So if everyone had that attitude, what do you think would happen?

How do you know if there's any chance a disabled person will turn up and need the space?

Are disabled people required to precook disabled parking or something now? Instead of there being enough available spaces for them? Is that going to be the next daft and othering suggestion?

If there was any realistic chance a genuine disabled person wouldn't get one then no don't do it of course

You're in a car park. The prospect of a disabled person needing a space seems pretty realistic to me.

I would use those in my smaller hatchback if the bb spaces were full.

But it IS a revelation to some people! You'd be surprised by how many people think P&C spaces are on a par with disabled bays. I've read threads on MN where people have "confronted" elderly people for using P&C spaces, as though they've done something awful.

Fgs. Yes. Yes you would. Park in a normal space and manage. I had 5 kids in car seats and so I had a big car. I parked in a normal space and managed.

A genuine disabled person.
as opposed to what??

I think you've been given a really hard time on here OP. You have explained you are concerned about your young children's safety and that is what tempts you to want to park in one of the many free disabled spaces. It's right that you shouldn't do so, but I don't know why some people are acting so disgusted that you feel tempted to use one to keep your kids safe. 🙄

Because neither herself or her children have a blue badge so are therefore not entitled ,they are called blue badge spaces for a reason they are not just there for somebody to.decide they are in need of one .

I get parking anxiety but ill drive to the top floor where it's empty and walk a bit further

It's tricky sometimes but not impossible

Disabled bays are a legal requirement, P&C bays are just a courtesy. It is ableist to compare the two.

@fairysimples Probably. Because if someone goes to a car park at a certain time and there are disabled spaces empty then obviously they are not really needed.

So if I turn up 2 minutes after you, I don't need the space? How does that work?

@SouthCountryGirl I am being very sarcastic.

YABVU and if you do I hope you get the maximum fine.

For goodness sake OP. Blue badge spaces are for blue badge holders and they NEED them.

Someone with a baby and an oversized car does not "need" a larger space, they just want one.

They should do away with P&C spaces and have special expensive spaces for SUV drivers who "need" wider spaces. The rest of us can have the smaller free ones.

Did you just write your OP to annoy people. I am annoyed with myself that you succeeded. Sigh.

Personally I don’t think parent and child spaces should be used by people who think they deserve a disabled badge for whatever reason. That’s just as bad as someone using the disabled space that shouldn’t

Total nonsense. Blue badge spaces are NEEDED.

P&C spaces should be removed and people should drive smaller, less polluting cars. If you insist on driving a tank, park at the far end of the car park away from everyone else.

I'm guessing some posters might be BB holders whoa re sick of cheeky fuckers like the OP illegally using BB spaces.

I'm guessing some posters might be BB holders whoa re sick of cheeky fuckers like the OP illegally using BB spaces.

👏👏👏 this with bells on - from a BB holder who is sick to death of my DH having to stop in the middle of a busy car park and stop cars to lift me into my wheelchair and leave me parked up while he finds a normal space when half of the BB spaces are taken up with cars with no badge on display. There isn't enough space in a normal space to get me and my wheelchair out.

It's just fucking selfish and it winds me up.

All parents want to keep their kids safe. OP isn’t special and nothing special applies to someone who has anxiety using a standard car park.

If you want more p&c parking spots campaign for them or park further away.
Don't park in Blue badge spots, you're not that special in your circumstances, lots of people have 2 kids that age, so should they all prk there? Of course not.

"If there was any realistic chance a genuine disabled person wouldn't get one then no don't do it of course"

You mean instead of a genuine parent, genuine baby, genuine toddler, genuine car...........

I totally agree.