Money Moral Dilemma: Would you park free if it blocked wheelchair access?

nathanhill69

tryinghardtosave wrote: »

As the mother of a severly disabled teenager, I find it incredible that so many people have said yes they would block the rear door. We have, at huge expense, bought a wheelchair accessible car, with a fold down ramp at the back so that my son can just drive in. It is essential that there is adequate space for him to be able to drive up behind the ramp and then straighten up before entering. We have a sticker which politely requests that people leave about 6 feet behind to allow for access. This is usually ignored. In this case we have to leave my son either on the pavement if there is one- in all weathers- or in the road, while the driver moves the car out into the road, when we then hold up the traffic while we load him into the car. This can take a few minutes while we ensure that his wheelchair is clamped down. This is dangerous for him and us, and frustrating for the road users. Believe me, if there were adequate disabled bays, we would not choose to park on single or double yellow lines but sometimes the alternative is just to go home having not even gotten him out of the car. I would just like to say that 'there but for the grace of God go you' and until you or someone dear to you becomes disabled you have no idea how difficult the simplest thing can become, and anything that makes life even slightly easier for wheelchair users should be welcomed. I'm shocked at the selfish attitude of some of these people, but would like to thank all those who say that they would not block the car. Life is difficult, please don't make it more so just for the hell of it.

For all those posters who feel they are justified in parking behind a disabled car who has politely requested some consideration then if you still feel the same after reading the above post then shame on you.

Even though there are some disabled badge holders who abuse the system with minor ailments one has to always assume that the badge holders status is justified - also, in this instance, if the car is designed to accommodate a wheel chair I think you can assume their disabled status is legitimate.

However much rationalisation people apply in justifying their decision to park behind the disabled car in this moral dilemma I think deep down you know it's wrong and selfish.

THRIFTY_GIRL

KatP wrote: »

You can have a baby in a 2 seater sports car. I think you are making generalisations. Perhaps it is the second car, perhaps a relative is babysitting the child and needs to go to the shops, perhaps they just love the sports car........ You don't actually NEED a people carrier because you have one tiny baby you know. You are being pretty ignorant yourself.

In fact a two seater car might be the money saving option if you are a single parent........

Moneysaving option:rotfl::rotfl:please enlighten me

I may be making a generalisation, but it is not often that this happens...and when it does you would normally see a child/baby seat on display. Normally all I see on display is a middle aged man in suit walking skipping out. Yes I do shop in Watrose...

Agreed I do not need a people carrier with a tiny baby and nor do I want one thank you.

Apologies if I offended the minority who take their sports car (our second car) to the supermarket with baby in tow, but I am also offended by a single comment that deems me to be ignorant!!!!

THRIFTY_GIRL

YANA wrote: »

Where my wife was brought up, the more children you have the more money you get
They're still not worth it mind :mad:

Time will tell...........had better put an end to my debate. Sodding children need to be fed and bathed.

Magic-Ian

sweetcarer wrote: »

A few years ago when my husband was still alive, he was a disabled guy and we kept the wheelchair in the boot of the car.

One night we went to Asda and it started to bucket really heavy rain. We went up to front of store to find a disabled parking place - none. So it wasn't that busy we waited to see if anyone left. Within a couple of minutes a disabled person left and we waited to let them reverse out so we could drive into their place.

Just as I put my car in gear some person drove in front of us and parked. They were able bodied. So I put on my hazard lights and went out in the rain and asked "what were they doing?". I got the reply it is pouring of rain and they just had their hair done for a night out and cost them £50 and they needed to get the drink in for a party they were having.

I went back to my car noting their registration. My husband suggested we park in the car park and not the disabled bit as we had to get on as we were on route to visiting some friends. So we did - got out - by this time I was soaking wet with talking to the person and removing wheelchair, lifting him into it and taking him into the the shop.

We went to customer services, who were apolgetic but said the places are only there out of courtesy and couldn't do anything. We left the store without anything vowing not to go back.

So in view of your question, no I wouldn't block the space. It is nice to know now some places fine you if you do park in the disabled spots. Wish my husband was alive to see it.

This happens all the time. They are just selfish and lazy. Personally I would have parked across the back of them and done my shopping. Let them complain!

Bionic

storemanj wrote: »

yes, as has been said already, he/ her only has to pull out to gain all the space they need, i know as i am disabled and had to do it my self, a small inconvenience only.

Not everyone has the same same disability and consequently not the same limitations.

System

americanv8 wrote: »

Maybe but i'm basing that purely on the amount of disabled drivers who think its ok to park in parent & child bay because there's no disabled bays free. I can't park in a disabled bay with a baby and toddler when there's no parent & child bays available.
I can only say i'm pleased that ASDA & Sainsburys are now fining people who abuse both sets of bays.

Eh?:mad: Since when did a disability, which no one chooses, and having children, which is a life-style choice, become remotely comparable? They are not in the same league and your attitude once again highlights peoples sense of entitlement and selfishness!

On a separate note is it illegal to park in a disabled space on private land eg a supermarket carpark or just inconsiderate?
I block them in, leave a camcorder in my car facing their car if Im in a hurry or just sit nearby when Im not.

relaxtwotribes

Dr.Rock wrote: »

Or open their boot and lower the wheelchair ramp repeatedly against your bonnet until you come out and move your car.

So your answer to an inconvenience is to commit criminal damage? Some morals you have.

Magic-Ian

MrsGWoman wrote: »

Well, if I had have been driving around for 15 minutes, then I'm afraid that I would park there...The wheelchair user can move the car out, and then pop the wheelchair in the back when they've got enough space. The chances are, they will have a carer with them anyway. In my eyes, they shouldn't have parked in such a tricky spot - they should have parked in a specific wheelchair users space.

You cannot find a space in 15 minutes, but the disabled person can? Most wheelchair users do not go out with a carer. I realise of course that their inconsiderate parking may mean you will have to walk a bit further, but think yourself lucky that you can.:mad:

Bionic

Magic-Ian wrote: »

This happens all the time. They are just selfish and lazy. Personally I would have parked across the back of them and done my shopping. Let them complain!

Well said Ian,
Our local supermarket has a Royal Mail box right by the store entrance and its roughly 4-5 feet from the disabled bays - so you won't be surprised to hear that frequently someone (A-B) parks and jumps out to 'post a letter' and then disappears into the store to do their shopping....... By the way I refuse to park on parent and toddler bays out of an assumption that respect should be the first consideration.
In the supermarket on the other direction (wrong way for most journeys) the disabled bays are usually available to BB's - guess where they are? ....... away from the entrance! :j

chriswatts

I can see a major flaw in this argument, the question asks if we'd park behind a disabled driver if you blocked wheel chair access.

Right the problem I see here is if the disabled person had parked in a disabled bay to park behind them you'd also have to be parked in a disabled bay since around here the council usually put them in blocks surrounded by double yellows to avoid this problem.

Also we were told that the driver has been driving around for 15 minutes, we don't know if there are no spaces available at all or just disabled spaces, also could there not be disabled bays in the NCP? If there are disabled spaces available and the car with the 6 foot sign has parked in a normal space it slightly changes the situation. If the disabled driver had parked across two parking bays to get extra space it would be highly likely that they would receive a parking fine for inconsiderate parking, therefore I'd say that the disabled driver should realize that they can only be guaranteed extra space in a disabled bay!