Finally Snapped Today - Disabled Bay Parking!

kingfisherblue

On the subject of parking bays, am I the only person to wish that they were longer? I prefer to reverse into a space - I find it easier than driving in, as I can judge it better, and I have much better visibility to drive out. But there is a problem - if I reverse into a space, there is often too little room for me to open the boot and get my son's wheelchair out of the car. I don't have a big car - a Nissan Note - but there is usually a pole stating that the spaces are for BB holders only. If the pole was further back, giving me just an extra foot or so, it wouldn't be a problem.

Mojisola

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I'm not expecting a gold star or anything, but I was at a retail park today with my mum and her BB. We parked on one side, went into a couple of shops, then had to go to one of the shops on the other side. As I switched off the engine after pulling into the last empty disabled bay on that side, she said "Of course, I don't have to come in with you, do I?"

:mad::mad::mad: "No mother, you don't, but if you're NOT coming in with me I need to move the car because it's not fair to someone who NEEDS it!"

Heck, if I'd known she didn't want to come in with me, I'd have left her getting into the car (she doesn't need help, it just takes a while!) while I nipped across the car park and got what we needed from the far side! Would have been faster ...

Unlike the woman who pulled into the last space at the GPs last week - she opened the car door and I heard her mother say "Should you be parking here when I'm staying in the car?" "Yes, Mum, I'm getting something for you so it's alright to use the disabled space".

nannytone_2

Errata wrote: »

Can't say I blame them, I'd shout at you as well.

how very grwon up. your parents must be so proud of you

GlasweJen

To be fair I'd be pretty annoyed too and I work in low vision. It's hard to stop a wheelchair and if your own pride stops you from carrying a symbol cane to alert wheelchair users of your impairment then you can't get annoyed when we get irked that you've walked into us. Wheelchair users are not psychic! If you don't want to carry a symbol of your disability then you should shop off peak.

Savvy_Sue

Dunroamin wrote: »

I've never heard of one of these. Do you have a link and a reason for such a badge.

If you're asking why someone should display a badge saying they've got oxygen on board, it's because oxygen cylinders are highly flammable: if the car's involved in a shunt, the emergency services will want to know!

headcone

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

- called a DCS62 - £2 here

Nice link Richie,but a far better option is to get the free one offered by air products it is removeable which saves a whole lot of grief for the emergency services when you are not actually carrying cylinders.

The can be obtained from:

http://www.airproducts.co.uk/homecare/patients_carers/hos/travellingbycar.htm.

Or by phoning 0800 373 580 8.00am to 5.00pm Mon to Fri.

Errata

nannytone wrote: »

how very grwon up. your parents must be so proud of you

Possibly. How do you expect people in wheelchairs to react when you walk straight into them for no obvious reason?

Dunroamin

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

If you're asking why someone should display a badge saying they've got oxygen on board, it's because oxygen cylinders are highly flammable: if the car's involved in a shunt, the emergency services will want to know!

My husband's been on oxygen for years and I've never heard of this badge, which is why I asked. People who aren't on oxygen often think it's more dangerous than it is so I would like a link to it.

When he was new to LTOT, we travelled on the Channel Tunnel and made an effort to inform them and thy weren't the slightest bit interested - nowadays, the idea of needing to carry an "oxygen beware!" label seems ludicrous.

ETA

Thank you for the link - you learn something every day.

Dunroamin

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I'm not expecting a gold star or anything, but I was at a retail park today with my mum and her BB. We parked on one side, went into a couple of shops, then had to go to one of the shops on the other side. As I switched off the engine after pulling into the last empty disabled bay on that side, she said "Of course, I don't have to come in with you, do I?"

:mad::mad::mad: "No mother, you don't, but if you're NOT coming in with me I need to move the car because it's not fair to someone who NEEDS it!"

Heck, if I'd known she didn't want to come in with me, I'd have left her getting into the car (she doesn't need help, it just takes a while!) while I nipped across the car park and got what we needed from the far side! Would have been faster ...

Suppose she'd needed to use the loo while you were in the shops? Most LAs make it clear that the disabled person doesn't actually have to get out for the badge to be valid, eg Glasgow,

"As long as the journey is being made for you, and you are in the car with your badge, you can travel in any car."

Mojisola

Dunroamin wrote: »

"As long as the journey is being made for you, and you are in the car with your badge, you can travel in any car."

https://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/consumer_e/consumer_cars_and_other_vehicles_e/consumer_driving_and_parking_e/consumer_driving_and_parking_for_disabled_people_e/consumer_the_blue_badge_scheme_e/using_your_blue_badge.htm

"If you cause an obstruction or danger, or use the badge while you are still in the car, this can count as misuse."