Aunt choses to use disabled spaces when ever she wants to . She wasn't even getting out the bloody car!

[Douse]

Me and my aunt just gone to pick the kids up in her car and there was no spaces in the school car park apart from disabled, aunt says oh ill park there in the disabled (she has a disabled badge )
I said no don't park there.
Why not ive got a disabled pass she says
yes but your not actually getting out of the car and we do actually have a few children who are disabled was my response she gave me a disgusting eye roll, Arghhh it infuriates me she think she's entitled to park where ever she damn well wants even though its no benefit to her

I agree with you. It's similar to using parent and child spaces at the supermarket and not leaving the car... DH used to think it was fine based on technicality, although I've educated him since! I often do a quick dash for picnic/cool box supplies before a day trip and DH will drop me at the entrance so I can dash round on my own and then he'll find a space to wait for me... I think using a P&C space to just wait for someone is wrong because it's needlessly depriving someone who actually needs a P&C space (because they're getting children in/out of the car) of the opportunity to use it.

She's being selfish and you are being considerate. It doesn't always matter what you are entitled to, just use common sense.

I have a blue badge for my son but I only ever park in disabled bays when he is getting in it out of the car. I'd feel pretty scummy using them any other time because I know how important they are for people with disability.

She could in some private car parks. My local retail park has signs up with their own blue badge rules and they issue fines for improper use.

Comprehension mega fail! The general parking spaces are not specifically designated ergo can be used as the driver wishes. However the disabled and p/c spaces are for specific groups, it's utterly selfish to hog the limited spaces when they're not needed.

There are people who like to picnic in supermarket car parks at lunchtime and if the carpark is very busy they too are being selfish in hogging a spot.

As a wheelchair user with a blue badge, I care.

Erm, the disabled people who can't park there?

Got more time than me to care about what a random faceless stranger is doing, but have at it.

Yes you are correct

You get a set of rules when you get your BB and it is made very clear that you can only use a disabled space if the disabled person is getting out of the car. You can get your BB taken away for abusing it.

I'm sure there will have been times where the aunt hasn't been able to access a BB space herself either due to it being used legitimately by a disabled person or being abused by a non disabled person so it is extra selfish to misuse the space like that.

If a traffic inspector found the permit holder sitting in the disabled car parking space and not intending to get out of the car here, the permit holder would have their permit revoked, and would not be able to apply for another.

It is in the rules that permit holders agree to when they are granted a disability parking permit. If you don’t follow the few specific rules that apply, you don’t get the concessions/supports of the scheme.

If a person with a disability is not intending to get out of the car, a normal car space is all that is required. It leaves the accessible space free for someone who does need to manoeuvre in/out of the car, etc.

Is it?

Never had that happen.

What would happen if someone just didn’t fancy getting out of the car at that time. Maybe was waiting for the rain to stop.

Or to get the mental energy to just get out of the car and find it lacking

I had a glance through my rules and it doesn’t say anything about sitting in the car.

Seen enough parking inspectors to know if this is a rule either they don’t know anything about it or they realise it would be a thankless task taking away someone’s blue badge when they could be severely disabled

@Kennykenkencat - I did say “here”, as I am not in the UK….. It may not have been obvious enough, sorry!

You see them all the time at Tesco usually enjoying a crafty cig while the missus goes shopping.

This. Obviously she's taking advantage but that's life

Blue badge holder uses disabled bay. Shocker.

You are not allowed to use the badge unless you are getting out of the car.

My granddaughter insists on wearing LocalTown School uniform.
When I tell her off, she rolls her eyes & says she goes to LocalTown School.

My cousin insists on driving about in an ambulance, & when I tell him off, he rolls his eyes & says he is a paramedic.

My uncle insists on sitting on top of a ladder at the swimming pool, & when I tell him off, he rolls his eyes & tells me he is a lifeguard.

These people are all so entitled OP!
I think you should dob your aunt in, it's not like she has any lifelong problems to contend with is it?

People like you make life harder than it should be for people with disabilities. You'd soon change your views and attitude if one of your children were in a wheelchair, or even you. It can happen in a flash, like it did to me.

I had a glance through my rules and it doesn’t say anything about sitting in the car.

you need to go back and read your booklet again. It is in the rules.

There are few enough blue badge spaces already without them being abused. There's nothing that can be done about it in private car parks like supermarkets though. We have to rely on people doing the right thing.

She can if she is driving.

This happens constantly where I live. I notice because the bike racks are usually next to the disabled parking. I cycle so don't care about parking spaces. Car parks up, energetic person gets out & grabs bag & dashes in to shop (or bustles outside from shop, energetically dashing around with groceries & trolley). Not so energetic looking person stays in car the whole time.

It has zero effect on me, but I find their lack of self-awareness, inconsideration for someone else who might actually need that space near the door, amusing behaviour. That said, there are almost always many empty disabled parking spaces so 99% of the time, the habit has zero impact on anyone who needs the spaces, anyway.

No she can't.

The reason for the badge is to be able to park closer to the shop / restaurant / swimming pool for the disabled person.

Who is driving is irrelevant.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/help-for-disabled-travellers1/blue-badge-scheme/using-your-blue-badge/

If you break the rules
You can still get a parking fine when you're using your badge.

If you misuse your badge on purpose you could be fined up to £1000, for example if you:

give it to someone else to use
keep using your badge when you no longer need it
use your badge to park if you’re just waiting, and don't plan to leave your car

shes in the car...she can move if need be - especially if there are other free disabled spaces I don't see the issue infact it makes sense as frees up regular bay for others.