Parking in disabled spaces when disabled person sitting in car

[Mokel]

If the blue badge holder isn’t going to leave the car, the car shouldn’t be parked in a disabled bay.

The purpose behind disabled bays is for disabled people don’t have to walk far to entrances to shops, doctors etc. If not leaving the car, there’s no need to park up there.

If a non disabled person is going to leave the car leaving the disabled person in the car, they should be parking in a normal parking space.

Why are you worried OP?

I can think of lots of reasons that the person with disabilities might stay in the car for all or some of the trip and still need the space. Care needs, toilet, only managing a small part of the trip, refusal (I'm thinking of my friend's child who changes his mind at the last minute), and so on.

Why worry? It's far more likely someone does need it than doesn't. And even if they don't, who cares?

I park with my mum in the car every week while I go into the shop to collect her hired mobility scooter. I often have to queue. You don't know people's situations.

No, but you're clearly ageist.

The driver may have a disability that you can’t see sometime a carer is also disabled

It’s a £1000 fine for breaking those rules, and no doubt a jobsworth or jealous neighbour could see them enforced. I was surprised to learn of this rule, and it does seem harsh, but it makes sense.

I see your logic but would have to admit I have used blue badge and left disabled family member with good intention
For example - At petrol station after fuelling car (to take disabled person on appointment) I moved my car to disabled bay l, they then decided the didn’t walk into shop. I did not re park ,as I had to dash into shop as quick as possible/ minmise the time the disable person was unaccompanied. I could see car whilst in q - so when family member started to get distressed I was able to dash back and reassure them ( even before paying)

Personally I’d mind my own business and not concern myself about other people parking somewhere they’re entitled to 😉

Yes I agree about the parent and child ones. But it makes a change from just anyone parking in them.

It’s in the rules that unless you’re exiting the vehicle you’re not allowed to use the blue badge. The problem is too many people don’t read the book that comes with the badge.

But people do it all the time 🙄 very annoying, go park in a regular space if you aren't leaving the car!

Sorry for being thick. How do you know the driver / person leaving the car isn't the one with the badge?

This, obviously.

You don't.

As someone said, the blue badge holder either hasn’t read the instructions on use , or doesn’t care about the risk of being fined!

I sometimes go back to the car and sit in it.

How would you know if you arrived after me?

I genuinely have never seen every single disabled space taken in a supermarket car park, all the ones near me quite rightly have shedloads, so why make a fuss?

Indeed.
Are you as concerned about the general inaccesibility of shops, public transport, offices etc etc for disabled people because that's where injustice lies, not in a parking infringement.

You couldn't possibly know, that's why one needs to mind their own business instead of accosting a disabled person.

Good for you. But I have, regularly.

Well yes, it specifically says this in the instructions that come with the blue badge. It isn't valid if the badge holder isn't leaving the car.

I think people would assume you are the BB holder- why would the disabled person go out shopping leaving the able bodied person in the car?

Are you coming back OP or just shit-plopping about disability?

@Mokel

Well I don't have to walk at all as I am in a wheelchair, but if I am in my powered chair it isn't supposed to get wet, so if I don't want to only be able to go out on sunny days, being parked near to a shop - or wherever I want to be - is a big help.

Also, as I am not so visible behind cars etc (because I am sitting down), it is much safer for me to not have to cross any roads.

Sometimes, if my carer and I have just gone for a day out, they might go into a supermarket to get a few necessary items for me - I will be very tired by then if it is close to the end of the day - but I could quite easily have an urgent wee by the time they come out as my bladder is a law unto itself, so already being parked close to the shop is an absolute boon.

I also have mental health issues, and if we were parked somewhere else in the carpark I would be quite likely to have a panic attack, as I would feel trapped where I couldn't, or could have great difficulty, in attracting the attention of someone I thought looked trustworthy!

If I am parked next to the walkway of the shop building I would feel much safer to just open the car's window and call for help...

Why? Why would we be independent mothers, women, workers, business owners etc? Why won't we behave like 'proper' disabled people? Won't any one think of those who think they need to make assumptions?

Why do you think?

My lot have frequently had to phone me in the supermarket to come and tell someone to back off and stop harassing them. I'm the driver, in a wheelchair and frequently spare them having to trail round the supermarket.

I agree OP, and I think it's in the guidebook you get with the Blue Badge. I have one and know how hard it can be to find a space sometimes. If I can't get a disabled space then I am unable to get in or out of the car. However I'm more bothered by the idle gits who don't have a BB and just park there because it's nearer to whatever. That is taking entitlement and selfishness to new levels, able bodied people who can't be arsed to walk a few extra metres.