To think that people who use parent and child spaces without children are selfish *****

[hotcheeto]

Fill in the starred swear word as applicable.

I've only started truly noticing how many idiots do this since I had my baby 4 months ago. I can't believe how many people I've seen do it. And yes I always call them out and have had some pretty disturbing abuse thrown back.

I have also always reported to the shop staff to be told it isn't illegal and there's nothing they can do bar having a parking attendant out constantly which isn't possible (I know this isn't the shop staff's fault).

No disabled spaces? Fair enough, crack on. But this isn't the case 99% of the time. People use them because they are close to the entrance. I would rather the spaces be far away from the entrance with a small trolley park nearby with car seat/child seat trolleys.

Yesterday I purposefully parked straight down the middle of two normal spaces because I didn't want to risk having to reverse out just to get my baby's car seat back in. As I was walking in I witnessed 3 separate very able bodied people walk back to their cars without children.

Just really pees me off 😒

I do hope someone with a banged-up Land Rover parks very close to this selfish entitled person.

They are only a sop to planners to get the store planning permission. I doubt any store had any intention of any level of enforcement.

If we banned SUVs or reduced the number of them (say by a separate driving test), I expect people would be less likely to use them.

I suggest if you think people are using them because they are unwilling to walk further, you report the car reg to the DVLA alleging they have undeclared health issues.

MIL called out a guy parking a big SUV in P&C parking on his own

He said he couldn't park in normal spaces as the car was too big

@Ellsternell Nobody is "threatening" to scratch someone's car door for parking next to them and for what's it worth, I don't agree with OP parking across 2 bays either.

I have parked in normal bays when p & c spaces are unavailable and it is very tricky trying to get baby out of the car which is why I find the p & c spaces invaluable. I have had people park very badly next to me on the side where the baby seat is so have had to clamber over the seat from the other side to get my baby in his seat. None of these things are impossible but it is incredibly frustrating when spaces that are designated to make these challenges easier on parents are taken by builders hopping into the supermarket for a quick snack. People who take these spaces without a need are dicks and I can't understand why people are defending them and would presumably feel completely comfortable watching a mum struggling whilst they take up the space that was designated for them.

Our Tesco does it well, they are around the side from the entrance so you drive around then it's a safe walk back around the building. Blue badge spots are closer to the entrance.

The issue with parent and child spaces is they put them right by the shop so people lazily park there without kids. There’s no need for them to be right by the shops, it’s ridiculous. Move the spaces, you solve the problem. Of course that would just create a different uproar but there you go.

Challenged someone yesterday. Older man in a sports car. He told me because someone else had taken the space he was waiting for it was ok. The look on his face though he knew it wasn't ok so hopefully he'll think twice about doing it again.

This. I find the parking over two spaces to be super anti-social.

No he's just got a car that to big for his driving ability.

Sorry - so, because someone (you/the OP?) don't like people parking in these spaces, you would make a spurious report? Just because someone struggles with getting in/out of the car, doesn't mean they are not perfectly fine to drive!!

The size of these MASSIVE cars is an issue though isn't it. I drive a Fiat 500 myself, but so many people have just ONE child and switch to driving a people carrier or 4x4!

You parked like a prick across two spaces, you’re just as bad to be fair.

@ThisIsACoolUserName

I found the fiat 500 needed more space than my bigger motor because it's only 3 doors and the doors are longer.

I remember being 9 months pregnant, had preeclampsia and I really wasn’t managing very well physically, and I parked in a parents space. It was heaving on a busy Saturday and the closest other space was so far back and I was only popping in and had already spent 5 mins circling. The mother next to me actually starting shouting and swearing at me for using the space.
Now with a 1 year old sometimes I have to circle for a parents space for convenience. So I get both sides.
Ultimately I think you need to focus on yourself and not police others.

My 11 year old can get in and out independently and strap herself in. However, my daughter has dyspraxia and whilst she can climb in and out the car she needs a large space to do so. My daughter also needs someone there to essentially catch her as she often falls when getting in and out. She cannot simply open the door a smidge and squeeze out. Often, I can park at the end of the row but sometimes I’ve had to resort to parent and child spaces, especially in car parks with more narrow spaces.

When my kids were babies I found car parks more accessible than I do now with an 11 year old. I didn’t bother taking the car seat out, I just unstrapped baby and popped them in the buggy or the trolley seat.

There is a need for them to be near the shops, or at least have a safe route to the shop without ducking and diving between other cars.

Children can be unpredictable and don't always behave perfectly despite how well we try to teach them. Also, drivers who reverse out of spaces without looking or tool around the car park can easily hit a trolley with a baby or young child inside. At least if it's a lone adult they can let go of the trolley.

It's much safer to have spaces with a safe walking route to the shop, so in some cases that is right outside the shop.

I think all car parking spaces should be made bigger. I need to be able to open my car door properly to get out as I have a back issue that makes it difficult to stand up without the door fully open. I try to find spaces on the end etc but its not always possible. I wouldn't mind if these spaces were further away because I am happy to walk but just want more room to get in and out.

There is a need for them to be near the shops, or at least have a safe route to the shop without ducking and diving between other cars.

Ducking and diving? Seriously? It's a car park not a war zone, the speed restriction is 15/20mph.

However do you get them to school/mates houses etc given that the road speed limits are a lot higher?

😂😆🤣

I've heard it all now!

I don't think I've ever seen a car park hat doesn't offer a perfectly safe route to the shop wherever you've parked. Yes, you need to walk down the row where you've parked, but you have to do that in P&C spaces wherever you are, but there is then normally a perfectly safe walkway at the side. Of course, sometimes that's a longer route that walking straight across the car park, but if you're too lazy to take the longer safe route you can hardly expect your laziness to be catered for.

If you walk behind a car with your child in a trolley and don't notice that the engine and reversing lights are on, more fool you, really.

I’ve got kids, I know all that. I still don’t believe they need to be right by the shops. Ultimately the problem is the spaces are by the shops and people are inherently lazy so use them. The use of the spaces isn’t (in my understanding) legally enforceable so they get used. If people want them left for only people with kids then they need a different solution, can’t have it both ways.

I don't get it. I've had 3 children and have never had a problem using a normal parking space. I never got the car seat out at the shops though.
It can be tight but not impossible or use the end of the row. There are some shops that have P&C spaces at the back of the carpark though and they're hardly used by anyone

Even if you do find it annoying it's hardly great to park across two spaces and just as selfish as those you are complaining about. Just park further away.

I’ve used parent and child plenty of times when my back has been bad- 2 prolapsed discs means I have to open my door wide, spin myself to the side and pull myself out, no way could I twist to get out. This doesn’t qualify for a blue badge.