Disabled Parking

[chrismk]

I've ranted pretty much everywhere else, so it's SFX's turn.

I am getting increasingly angry at the number of lazy ***** who seem to think that its ok to park in disabled bays, when they don't have a blue badge. Last week, I saw some **** in a pale blue Corsa (registration DE56 HXG) cut up a clearly modified for disability car on the entrance to Tesco and then proceed to park his worthless **** in the last remaining disabled bay. I actually took a picture of his car and reported him to the security people, but they don't actually give a **** (as evidenced from the fact that despite me giving them his details and them promising to 'sort it', when I came out of Tesco, he was sat in his car, still in the bay, eating his lunch). Today, there was a familiar Porsche Boxter (registration H15 LOM) parked in the disabled bay at Starbucks, I say 'familiar' because I've seen him park there 30+ times. There were plenty of other spaces that weren't reserved for disabled drivers, but the arrogant **** didn't want to park in them (either they are deemed too small for his tiny motor, or he's too lazy to walk the extra few feet.) After he got his coffee, he sat in his car drinking it, whilst reading his paper. There were no free disabled bays.

While looking on the net to see who I could report it too (turns out that pretty much no one in my area gives a ****), I stumbled across an American/Canadian website, which has a smartphone app that you can download, to report motorists who park illegally in disabled bays. You submit photos and your GPS position from the phone and they fine the motorist. A percentage of the fine then goes to a disabled charity. I can't help wondering why we don't have that sort of thing over here, or is it just that society doesn't give a ****?

(for the record, I am not disabled, but a close member of my family is, hence the subject is quite significant to me).

[Knappos]

This reminds me of a song. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ead7EOypKDE

Inappropriate joking aside, I agree It annoys the heck out of me.

I feel the same about people who use parent and child bays when they don't have a child with them. You know, those eeejits who, because they have a child and so a child car seat think oh, even though my Kid's at Grandma's or some other location OTHER THAN THE car in question at the time of parking in the bay they can still use the bay, meaning parents WITH their children with them have to park miles away. If we don't have the kids in the car with us we don't use the parent and child bay.

In both cases the extra room around the spaces is needed for wheelchairs, crutches, push chairs, prams. That's why they're there.

[Boo]

Asked my colleague in the council for you as it's a question which has been asked before and apparently it's down to the individual supermarket to enforce since it's their land. Have you tried contacting Starbucks/Tesco to see what their policies are?

[chrismk]

Originally Posted by Boo

Asked my colleague in the council for you as it's a question which has been asked before and apparently it's down to the individual supermarket to enforce since it's their land. Have you tried contacting Starbucks/Tesco to see what their policies are?

I have written to Tesco, Starbucks, the MK Council, the MK Police, My MP and the MK Citizen...

It was the Tesco security responsible for the area that I personally spoke to, who didn't give a ****

[Boo]

Originally Posted by chrismk

I have written to Tesco, Starbucks, the MK Council, the MK Police, My MP and the MK Citizen...

It was the Tesco security responsible for the area that I personally spoke to, who didn't give a ****

Unfortunately I don't think there is anything more you can do.

Unless you fancy dressing up in a mask and cape, and breaking one of their legs before making a swift getaway. At least then they'd be qualified to use the disabled car parking. I've probably watched Super too many times...

[chrismk]

Originally Posted by Boo

Unfortunately I don't think there is anything more you can do.

Unless you fancy dressing up in a mask and cape, and breaking one of their legs before making a swift getaway. At least then they'd be qualified to use the disabled car parking. I've probably watched Super too many times...

Not that I've considered it... but there are too many CCTV cameras about... 'accidentally spilling my coffee in through the Porsche's open sunroof was another consideration... but I didn't want to go and queue for another coffee...

[Slamhamster]

As I have to do most of the shopping with a recalcitrant toddler in tow I can sympathise with the OP, not being able to use designated parking because some arse can't be bothered to walk an extra few yards is frustrating.

One thing I have noticed is that some stores seem to have a wholly disproportionate number of disabled bays. The Asda at Kingswood in Hull is the most baffling, I'd guess it has at least 70 disabled bays (never more that a third full) yet only 20 or so parent and child spots. The may have changed it since I moved away but I somehow doubt it.

[Happy-Hangman]

The problem with the provision of disabled spaces is that, for most off-street parking in the UK - clubs, supermarkets, etc. - the designation is advisory. As the car-parks fall on land belonging to the company or corporation in question, even those who do seek to enforce the rule aren't fined in the strictest legal sense of the law. Even when penalty notices are displayed most companies won't take the matter to court as the expense of bringing suit exceeds the cautionary charge.

It was exactly this lack of enforcement that led the Scottish Parliament to seek the withdrawal of the 'advisory' designation. Since 2009 - thanks to the Disabled Persons` Parking Places (Scotland) Bill - all designated disabled parking bays that fall under local council authority fully enforceable under Scots Law - and that applies pretty much every non-private carpark. Enforcement costs around £5,000,000 a year - but increasing the impetus to prosecute those who misuse disabled spaces, and making it a civil issue does seem to have increased public awareness of the problem, so that would seem to be money well spent. I know my local council has brought many such prosecutions. It hasn't solved the problem entirely, not by a long-shot, but the increased likelihood of prosecution has reduced it somewhat.

[glunark]

Originally Posted by Slamhamster

As I have to do most of the shopping with a recalcitrant toddler in tow I can sympathise with the OP, not being able to use designated parking because some arse can't be bothered to walk an extra few yards is frustrating.

One thing I have noticed is that some stores seem to have a wholly disproportionate number of disabled bays. The Asda at Kingswood in Hull is the most baffling, I'd guess it has at least 70 disabled bays (never more that a third full) yet only 20 or so parent and child spots. The may have changed it since I moved away but I somehow doubt it.

No its the same.

Shame you moved away, I would have liked to have met up with other hull SFXers.

[pmyumjr]

It annoys me when i see it to. As you say its just lazy. As someone who generally parks as far away from the shop as possible to reduce the risk of being hit by another car, i really don't see the point it saves you like 10 seconds.

I tend to pass comment on those i see doing it, i would not necessarly advise it to everyone (i.m a pretty big guy and can get away with it) i have at least a few times shamed someone into moving there car.