Grrr

A question about : Grrr

I went to morrisons this afternoon, and saw some people getting out of a car parked in a disabled bay without a badge. So I wound down my window and said 'excuse me but you've forgotten to put your badge out'. The woman said 'I'm with my 92 year old father, I've got to catch him up, that's why we're parking here'. Hmm, if he needs catching up to then surely his mobility isn't that bad? Besides, there were spaces as near, if not nearer, to the door that weren't marked that she could have parked in (I needed the disabled bay because of the extra room). Then I got into the store and she was pointing me out as if I were the wicked witch! And had a go as I was leaving, saying 'this is my father, it's clear we had a genuine reason for parking there'.

I'd be quite interested to hear other people's views on this, whether age entitles you to park in a disabled bay? I have to say that I think if you don't have a badge you don't use it, I mean she wouldn't have got away with that excuse with a traffic warden in town, so why should a supermarket be any different?

And was I right to challenge her in the first place? I mean, her dad was nowhere in sight and I'm not a mind reader...

Best answers:

• I think if you don't have a badge don't park there, if you need a badge apply . These days I don't say much anyone as you hear people being abused etc so you did the brave thing speaking up, its up to the shops to police these bays to make sure they are being used properly.
• I don't think age entitles you but circumstances do.
  My Nana is 92 and not in the health she once was. (Frail, her legs are bad and her mind not as sharp as it was.)
  On the occasions I have taken her to Asda's I park as near as to the door as possible, even if this means parking in a disable bay. She may not have an offical blue badge but then again some people that do have them are/appear a lot fitter & able than my nana.
  I will retreat now and wait to be shot down for parking in disable bay.
  My other nana is 87 and we can park where ever with her as she is fit & well.
  However if her health was to fail and I felt it was called for, I would also use the disable bay in the supermarket for her.
• Be careful parking the disabled bays at asda, they're now issuing fines if you don't have a blue badge (although I've heard they're not legally enforceable).
• The other side of the coin is that I'd be grateful if someone politely pointed out that I'd forgotten to put my Blue Badge out.
  I'm so foggy-minded at times that one of these days I am going to forget.
• I have to admit to sometimes parking in a Blue Badge bay even though I don't have one. I have very limited mobility and my DLA claim is going through at the moment. I've looked at the Council website to see what I have to do to claim one and it seems very strict. If you apply for a badge and you get turned down you cannot appeal.
  I don't use them all the time and only at quiet times where there are many bays free.
  I use a walking stick and I move very slowly, I've never been challenged.....but I know I shouldn't really use them.
  I'm feeling guilty now.
• playing devils advocate, if the gentleman in question has a blue badge but was carrying it with him (as I do) I think it would be reasonable to park there to collect him.
  Having said that blue badge rules do not apply to carparks, only the owners own policy (which is normally to accept them).
  If he has mobility problems but no badge then it is up to the supermarket to decide whether to let him park.
  I cant see a family store like this wanting bad publicity like 'store makes 92 year old gentleman walk miles across carpark' stories in the paper.
  People get really wound up about this issue but I think that in general vigelanteism is undesirable.
• Hi I have a blue badge and yesterday my son decided to take me out shopping we found one disabled bay left.
  I opened my door to get out and standing by the side of me was a man in his seventies just glaring at me. I just looked him in the eye and said would you like to examine my blue badge, poor ds didn't know where to look.
  He assumed I was not disabled until he saw me walking.
  I do feel some people are so rude and assume everyone young is healthy.
  I am pleased that asda employ people who are illegally parked in these bays to fine them. Shame the other supermarkets don't follow suit.
  There's no excuse if you are eligible for a blue badge apply for one.
  ally
• To be honest it gets my goat.
  People thinking they can park in a clearly marked space that they arent actually entitled to is just wrong.
  Same applies for parking in parent and child spaces or even the double lines near the store.
  Most of the year supermarkets have substantial parking and the walk from the furthest point isnt that bad.
  I appreciate at 92 and ill mobility that there is a problem - so get a blue badge organised for these events and make it legit.
  Needing to park in a space isnt always simply about the closeness to the store.
  It can be about being able to open the door wide to get in and out or have assistance.
  It can be that these spaces are closest to the path - some disabled children need the safety of the path as they are unpredicatable.
  Having a blue badge is for a reason - its not just wanting the luxury of a space.
  People abusing it is selfish. What ever the reason they think it is justified its not.
• I love this.
  Ime 26 and have got cystic frybrosis. now i look normal to other people but its not wots on the out side, i get out of breath easy wen walkin around and my jionts swell up. any ways Ive got a bluebadge and i park in the disabled spaces, and wen i get out of my car and people see me they give me the most dirtyest look goin. i have even had a 30odd year old follow me into the supermarket once and gave me a row in frount of everyone for parkin in a space. and ive even had a row with a rugby player aswell, the security had to call the police to calm everything down. ime in my rite for parkin there. if there is someone more worth e.g ole people or disabled kidds and they really need the space then thats fair enugh. but i just think it funny the amount of looks i get all the time. hehehe
• I have to say parent and child spaces annoy me as they eat in to spaces where you used to put disabled ones.
  They have clearly been invented to protect the supermarket from the small theoretical risk of litigation if a child was run over rather than by working out how easy it is for folks to cover the distance.
• those that have a blue badge - do you get THE LOOK
  anyone under 100 get it from other people. I love it.
  However I find myself looking at all the cars to see if they have their badge displayed then we have a tut and discussion about those that dont.
  I have MS and I am 37 - when my blue badge ran out recently I forgot to renew it so went 2-3 months without it which was difficult but I still obeyed the rules. I have gone out with friends and realised I have left it in the family car - annoying but I wouldnt just park.
  Sometimes I am dropped off as near as possible - safely not blocking the way and then they go and park normally.
• I love the dirty looks that I get from people for parking in a disabled space. My Mum has a Blue Badge and I only use it if my Mum is with me. Her local Asda is in the town, Sometimes we might go to the town before Asda. I then go back to the car to drop the bags off while leaving my Mum sitting on a bench by the entrance. The amount of times that I've had dirty looks from people. It cracks me up!
  If I'm not with my Mum. I'll always park as far away from any other cars as I can. The amount of money I've spent on my car getting dents repairs is unbelievable
  Donna
• Wow looks like I've stirred up a hornets nest! I like a good debate though. I'm glad no-one said I shouldn't have challenged them.