PCN *I parked in a disabled space, should i pay or am i a scumbag edition*

Ephemera

Minxy_Bella wrote: »

A few months ago, I was really incapacitated by labyrinthitis and couldn't stand, let alone walk or drive so my OH drove me to the GP and then to the pharmacy to pick up some medication. He parked in a disabled bay and popped into the shop. A traffic warden, or whatever they're called these days, came along and had a right go at me, even though he could see my crutches, I couldn't open my eyes and was weeping with nausea. To be fair, he let us off without a ticket but I could have done without the ruddy lecture.

If I were you, I'd fight it - you were disabled, albeit temporarily, and therefore should be entitled to use that space. I would get my GP to send the carpark company a letter (although your case would hold more weight if you'd been getting medicine or something, rather than a CD tbh).

Hope your ankle gets better soon.

xxx

Erm... in the case of you being lectured for parking whilst your (able bodied?) partner nipped into the shop... the warden was absolutely right.
The blue badge is for YOUR convenience, not your partner's. Leaving the disabled person in the car whilst an able bodied helper nips off is just as bad as an able bodied person parking in a disabled spot. If it were you going into the pharmacy then you do have a right to use the parking place.

*rant over and awaits flaming*

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/DG_4001061

Specifically: "If you have a badge, it must only be used for your benefit. If a trip is for someone else and you are a passenger and staying in the car, you cannot use the badge to let them benefit from free parking."

hundredk

tripleblack wrote: »

on my return i had received a ticket. (town and city parking ltd) When i challenged the attendant he was quiet remorseful and claimed if he'd have seen me 'on sticks' he would not have issued me a ticket. His advise was to ignore the ticket as they will not take me to court as it would cost them too much!!!

Out of interest how much and to who was the ticket payable. Did it say anything about time limits to pay and follow up actions if not?

sarahg1969

Ephemera wrote: »

Erm... in the case of you being lectured for parking whilst your (able bodied?) partner nipped into the shop... the warden was absolutely right.
The blue badge is for YOUR convenience, not your partner's. Leaving the disabled person in the car whilst an able bodied helper nips off is just as bad as an able bodied person parking in a disabled spot. If it were you going into the pharmacy then you do have a right to use the parking place.

*rant over and awaits flaming*

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/DG_4001061

Specifically: "If you have a badge, it must only be used for your benefit. If a trip is for someone else and you are a passenger and staying in the car, you cannot use the badge to let them benefit from free parking."

Funnily enough, in supermarket car parks, I notice that around half of the cars usually have the drivers sitting in them in disabled bays. OK, the disabled person may wish to do their own shopping - that's fine. But why do all of these vehicles need to take up disabled bays while they are in the store?

And do all blue badge holders always need to use the disabled bays in supermarket car parks? Or do they do so because it's their right? I know my gran can manage just fine in a normal one at the supermarket, so long as it's not right at the back of the car park.

hundredk

dmg24 wrote: »

The criteria for a blue badge is very strict, and temporarily being on crutches would not qualify you for one. Whilst I appreciate the area was not busy at that time, if everyone took your attitude it would have caused a problem.

It is up to you if you pay the fine, but in future, just use the spaces that you are entitled to use.

I haven't seen references to blue badge holders only in my local tesco car park - just the painting on the ground. Are disabled bays in private car parks really for badge holders only? Or for people who are have restricted mobility?

Ephemera

sarahg1969 wrote: »

Funnily enough, in supermarket car parks, I notice that around half of the cars usually have the drivers sitting in them in disabled bays. OK, the disabled person may wish to do their own shopping - that's fine. But why do all of these vehicles need to take up disabled bays while they are in the store?

And do all blue badge holders always need to use the disabled bays in supermarket car parks? Or do they do so because it's their right? I know my gran can manage just fine in a normal one at the supermarket, so long as it's not right at the back of the car park.

Yes, not all blue badge holders are incapacitated to the point that they need to park in a bay so close all the time... but I think in a lot of cases they feel entitled so just go and park there while someone who REALLY needs the space has to park elsewhere.
I worked in an office a couple of years ago where a colleague parked in one of the only two disabled spaces because he could even though he got there at nine and left at five. And the crazy thing was that the disabled space was a longer walk to the staff entrance! This from a supposedly intelligent man. But there we go...a sense of entitlement sometimes overrides intelligent thought, it seems....

hundredk

juliescot wrote: »

It appears not to be a fine but an unenforceable invoice.

Whatever the views of people as to the parking, demanding money in this way is to be commended.

Is there a "not" missing in that last sentence?;)

savemoney

Ephemera wrote: »

And the crazy thing was that the disabled space was a longer walk to the staff entrance! This from a supposedly intelligent man. But there we go...a sense of entitlement sometimes overrides intelligent thought, it seems....

Its not just about how close a bay is to the store is also about having room to get out of the car aided or otherwise

BB are hard to get

Meepster

hundredk wrote: »

I haven't seen references to blue badge holders only in my local tesco car park - just the painting on the ground. Are disabled bays in private car parks really for badge holders only? Or for people who are have restricted mobility?

Legally, they are for everyone. Disabled or non-disabled, badge or no badge, kids or no kids etc etc etc...

hundredk

Neil_B wrote: »

Thanks for your views. As a result I will be making a point of parking in disabled spaces in supermarkets from now on ---- just until the retailers start taking some proper responsibility.
-

And because the spaces are wider you're less likely to get your doors pranged.

savemoney

Thats why I park at far end of store or shop when its quite accept on some occasions when my disabled daughter goes with us, she need the space and support to get out or she falls

Those who abuse the system they may genuine need them one day what comes around

hundredk wrote: »

And because the spaces are wider you're less likely to get your doors pranged.