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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To use disabled parking bays when on crutches?

272 replies

Glamgwen · 22/04/2023 08:43

Boring parking question. I’m currently on crutches following on operation. I need to park in a multi-storey car park today (no other options) that doesn’t have a lift. I can’t manage stairs or slopes, so can only park on the ground floor but these spaces are all disabled. Would it be acceptable for me to park in one & leave a note in the window explaining the situation & giving my mobile number in case anyone with a blue badge needs the space? I should add that there are loads of disabled spaces & I’ve never known them all to be in use.

OP posts:
TheHoover · 22/04/2023 08:44

Use the disabled space without guilt

Samcro · 22/04/2023 08:45

chances are without a blue badge you will get a ticket.

Malbecormerlot · 22/04/2023 08:45

How are you able to drive?
You need a disabled badge/permit to park in these bays or everyone would put signs in there windscreens.

ThisNameIsNotAvailable · 22/04/2023 08:45

You need a blue badge to park in a disabled space

eurochick · 22/04/2023 08:45

Morally you are right but as another poster has said without a blue badge you will probably get a ticket.

Mortimercat · 22/04/2023 08:46

I don’t think you should no.

PuttingDownRoots · 22/04/2023 08:46

Unfortunately temporary conditions don't count.

Original poster
Glamgwen · 22/04/2023 08:47

Malbecormerlot · 22/04/2023 08:45

How are you able to drive?
You need a disabled badge/permit to park in these bays or everyone would put signs in there windscreens.

I have ok from surgeon & insurance company to drive.

OP posts:
MuffinToSeeHere · 22/04/2023 08:47

You need a blue badge to park in one, being on crutches won't stop you receiving a fine. Can't you get a taxi to the location?

TeresaCrowd · 22/04/2023 08:47

I could drive my automatic car 2 weeks are a severe ankle sprain on my left foot. I was on crutches. I don’t use the left foot for driving. Temporary blue badges is something we do very badly in this country and would probably make a big difference to injured people getting out and about to aid recovery.

OldTinHat · 22/04/2023 08:47

If the space is marked in yellow paint, then don't park in it, you'll get a ticket.

If it's marked in white, then fill your boots.

(I have an allocated disabled bay marked in white and apparently its a 'courtesy' space that anyone can parknin, badge or no badge.)

SweetSakura · 22/04/2023 08:49

OldTinHat · 22/04/2023 08:47

If the space is marked in yellow paint, then don't park in it, you'll get a ticket.

If it's marked in white, then fill your boots.

(I have an allocated disabled bay marked in white and apparently its a 'courtesy' space that anyone can parknin, badge or no badge.)

Oh this is helpful to know, thank you. I am almost bedbound at the moment while waiting for treatment, but hoping that will make me better so haven't applied for blue badge.

bigbluebus · 22/04/2023 08:49

Unless it's a manned multi storey where you can speak to an attendant then I wouldn't as you could end up with an expensive fine.
They are generally for blue badge holders only and you can't get a blue badge for a temporary disability.

x2boys · 22/04/2023 08:50

No because it's a blue badge space ,you can't just decide that your entitled

lidlbrownjug · 22/04/2023 08:53

You need a blue badge to park in a disabled space.

Can you park in a parent and child space instead, as a reasonable adjustment for your temporary disability?

clpsmum · 22/04/2023 08:54

No it's absolutely not acceptable find somewhere else to park.

Floralnomad · 22/04/2023 08:54

No , I can’t climb more than 1 flight of stairs without extreme difficulty but I can’t just decide to park in a disabled space , what if we all did it . Find a different car park or get dropped off

Changeling78 · 22/04/2023 08:54

No, I don’t think you should use the disabled parking space unless you are actually disabled.

bellac11 · 22/04/2023 08:55

I'd take the fine and use it. The cost would be worth the convenience.

FangedFrisbee · 22/04/2023 08:56

Park in the parent and child bays...

LadyKenya · 22/04/2023 08:57

lidlbrownjug · 22/04/2023 08:53

You need a blue badge to park in a disabled space.

Can you park in a parent and child space instead, as a reasonable adjustment for your temporary disability?

This. It is up to the OP though if she wants to risk a fine by parking in the parking space for disabled people.

MandyMotherOfBrian · 22/04/2023 09:01

OldTinHat · 22/04/2023 08:47

If the space is marked in yellow paint, then don't park in it, you'll get a ticket.

If it's marked in white, then fill your boots.

(I have an allocated disabled bay marked in white and apparently its a 'courtesy' space that anyone can parknin, badge or no badge.)

My DF had a disabled bay outside his house - the local council that allocated it to him said it wasn’t ‘his’ as such and anyone could use it but only if they had a blue badge. So courtesy as such but limited to actual blue badge holders. Maybe different local authorities have different rules.

pingugopoo · 22/04/2023 09:02

The point of blue badges is to provide space for those who have an ongoing condition that otherwise would prevent them from doing every day activities and living a full life.

Having an injury is unfortunate but it will heal, and during this time there will be things you will have to do differently (like get a taxi because you can't park) or miss out on completely. Disabled people shouldn't have to do these things because the spaces are protected in law to enable only those who qualify to use them.

You should not take a disabled space even if you think they are never full. They are always needed.

kitsuneghost · 22/04/2023 09:06

Is there a mother child parking. I Don't think it's illegal to park in them.

EnaSharplesStout · 22/04/2023 09:07

You will very likely get a ticket.

I am a wheelchair user and have a blue badge- I went shopping a couple of weeks ago and realised I’d left the badge in my wife’s car but I parked in a disabled bay anyway because otherwise I can’t get out and into my chair. I left a note on my windscreen but as expected I still got a ticket.