Devils advocate, disabled people are always going on about being treated like normal people, so maybe they should'nt have disabled spaces?.
If you did get a fine for parking in a disabled space in a supermarket, you don't have to pay it, it's leagally un enforceable.
I think a lot of what you say is right shambolic. However, at some point a stand must be made however trivial it may seem. I for one still think it is worth making a small, though maybe to some, petty stand for keepimg designated Disabled parking bays for people with mobility problems who have blue cards.
I can see no problem if there is an issue of a driver not having a card but using a space to have to justify why they are. I would not advocate making a drama out of the situation, but to make someone aware that there,possible misdemeanour is noticed might make a difference.
Shambolic, we'll have to agree to disagree.
I do take your point that someone who does not have a badge may still be medically in need of a space - but then that leaves the whole system open to anyone at all parking there.
I still feel it's right to stand up for other people's rights, on issues that are important to me, whether it directly affects me or not.
it would be nice if we could have car parks with spaces for everyone that suit the size of the bigger vehicles many of us drive, our local asda one night a guy parks next to me without a care in the world opens his door onto mine. Still not bothered when i mention his carelessness...then the car park at tk maxx pc world stafford where parking a pick up truck will always leave you with a fine of 30 pounds as the spaces are NOT big enough... i have to admit i see the mother and toddler and disabled spaces, always empty and numerous and get pissed off that im trying to squeeze the pick up into a space barely big enough for a mini.
before anyone says it the truck is a necessity
staggy
okay... it has been really interesting reading what has been written here....
A few of you know what my job is.... it is a customer care manager for a railway company in regards to organising elderly and disabled assistance.
I have heard some horror stories as to how selfish some people can be......
okay.... my pet peeve with some back story,
only the assisted travel departments of the railway companies can book the wheelchair spaces and companion seats.... obviously we only book it in certain situations, passengers with guide dogs, hospitals for paxs with mjor probs.
it is not an extra space to put luggage,
it is not there because people want extra space to stretch legs....
it is not there for people to leave upright prams in! (which is a health a safety issue.. and if it topples over what then)
i have seen people refuse to give up seats that have been booked for all these reasons... I have gotten into arguements with people i have had the misfortune for be on the trains with.....
it even got to one stage where we made an announcement on a train and told everyone on the train what was happening, why the train was now running late while we scrambled round (managed to put them in the 1st class space... up the other end of the train)
if it get to having to embarrass people to make a point it is not something i like doing... but it is something I have done....
Without going into detail, I see the effects of living with and caring for disability every day, and it does irritate the hell out of me when I see this going on. Most times you can tell there's not going to be a badge on the windscreen just by the type of car (maybe a bit of prejudice against boy-racer cars and my-4x4-is-bigger-than-your-4x4's, but I've seen it so many times).
At times like that I have been tempted to leave a message saying
"Want my parking space - want my disabiity?"
But as I get older and grumpier my thoughts turn more to the simpler (in large bold print slapped across the windscreen for all to see)
"I'm not disabled, just pig ignorant!"
Maybe one day I'll have the courage to do it.
I have to say this but though i don't ever use a disabled space or a parent child space i have to say i disagree totaly with the concept of them to an extent.
Its all about equal rights and the many campaigns by disabled people that they should have equal right with able people and therefore in my opinion disabled spaces to to the other extreme and just make me demand equal rights with them.
and how about this? i have 2 friend with an artificial limb and both perform the same sorts of jobs and me and do thing able people do such as play golf and other sport yes another person with the same thing does not so who defines disability because to me that isnt consistent.
Having said all that there are people who do absolutly need to have these consessions to help them.
Sorry Goose, I have to be a little pedantic and disgree with the equal rights bit.
It's more about equal opportunity than equal rights, and if allowing people with mobility issues to park nearer to services enables them to have the same opportunity to use those facilities, as those without mobility problems, then it's achieving what is was designed for.
I do get grumpy when people who don't need them hog them because it puts us to a hell of a lot more trouble when my walking is very bad.
If my legs aren't too bad then we park normally and don't display the badge.
Jas
XXX