How should we deal with people who park in Disabled Bays and Parent/Child spaces at Supermarkets?

Question

I am entitled to use both as I have MS and a 1 year old. But I have been told that these spaces are supplied as a courtesy and nothing can be done to enforce it. It is a private car park and therefore no laws are being broken. Once I parked behind the offending car & blocked it in for 15 minutes. But I know that was actually potentially dangerous (& no I didn't have the baby with me at the time) and probably made me no better than the person who was parked there. But it did make me feel better.

There MUST be something you can do! Any ideas?

I live in the UK, so I think the laws are different to the US.

I have been reliably informed that Parent/Child spaces are only for parents with children under 5 years old.

Answer 1

Print up a note (several) that says something like "You are illegally parked in a handicapped/parent child space. I have noted your license number and will forward it to the proper authorities. I have also taken a picture of your car parked in this spot ." Carry these in your car along with a disposable camera.

Answer 2

I don't know what the laws are in the UK for this but you might like to approach your local Roads and Traffic Authority for some advice. You could also ask Shopping centre management about the enforcement of parking rules for these Disabled Spaces.

I know in Australia, that some people who have been so frustrated with the total lack of consideration of some drivers and inaction by local autorities have gone to the media. There is nothing like naming and shaming on TV in front of a million or more viewers to get some action.

Answer 3

In some states, you must register with DMV and get a wheelchair placard for your car. If you get caught (wiithout the placard hanging from your windshield mirror), in a wheelchair designated parking spot, you get a ticket that you cannot afford.
I suggest you move to one of these other states that inforce the Americans for Disabilities Act of 1990. This private parking lot is a business? They must comply if so.
(A Federal Law enforceable in all 50 states)
You should not be treated this way.
I saw on an FOX investigative news report on TV that filmed these people parking in handicapped, getting out of their cars and walking in stores. When they walked back to the car, the police were waiting and ticketed them, as well as, the reported asked them why they did it.
These people deserve what they get.

Answer 4

I have tried for years to think up a solution to this problem, I've tried the polite do you know your parking in parent/child, to be ignored or given mouthful of abuse, to remarking loudly, 'I DON'T SEE ANY CHILDREN IN THAT CAR' . None really work. Disabled spaces even harder, but one supermarket used to have a recording that reminded people this was a space reserved for disabled drivers. Soon got removed. Its a question of conscience, some people just don't have one, and nothing you say will make them feel any remorse. It has to be made a traffic violation and tickets issued, with fines.

PS have you noticed its mainly the well- to- do-types, in the nice car types that do it?

Answer 5

The penalties are in place they just need to be enforced better.

The problem is law enforcement don't place a high priority on this so when the infraction occurs, there's nobody there to punish it. And these people who don't care a thing for their fellow humans will care if you smack them in the wallet hard enough and often enough, there's just nobody there to do the smacking.

In the future, all handicapped parking placards may have embedded infrared tags, if a vehicle without one parks in a handicapped spot, a remote camera will photograph the license plate and a ticket will be generated and mailed to the offender.

*smack*

Answer 6

That is a good way to get yourself killed. There is a lot of missuse of the disabled parking but it's not worth you life. I wouldn't try that anymore if I were you. Also remember that not all people with disabilities have a "visable" disability.
Have a good day!

Answer 7

Do the mature thing and key the side of the car! :P Blocking them in seems to be a good idea. next time go for a day trip on a bus....instead of the 15 minutes

Answer 8

go in the shop and tell the person who speaks on that mic thing to say the number plate of the car in the space and get them to kindly move it and explain why then go park there

Answer 9

I would like to see their cars crushed on site and sold for scrap metal with the proceeds going to a worthy charity

Answer 10

make up some stickers stating that these spces are reserved for disabled and or parent/child and thank them for being a numpty and stick the sticker on the windscreen. dont get caught doing it though as you might get done for criminal damage..