Mother and baby parking spaces?

Question

Seems on the news that Asda are trailling a scheme where they will charge people using these (and disabled) spaces when they have no need.

Now, I see an easy solution. As a parent of a small child I really appreciate getting a wide space which makes it a lot easier to get my son in and out of the car. I don't, however, see the need for them to be right next to the shop door. If they were further back then surely no one would use them when they didn't have to?

I feel the issue is the extra space as you need to open a door wide to load and unload a child. It is also better having space for the trolly/buggy up the side of the car rather than leaving them on the road whilst you juggle with the shopping and a small child! There isn't really a need to have them right at the front door. If there were shopping trollies available near these spcaes then there wouldn't be a problem.

This would free up spaces for everyone else near the front of the shop. There are a lot of people out there with mobility problems whether they are tempory or just not severe enough to warrent being registered as disabled to get your blue pass, who would appreciate being able to get parked a bit closer.

I would also stop those that don't need them parking in them.

I obviously wouldn't propose the same for disabled spaces - they are at the front for a reason!

K - I see what you are saying about the safety thing but kids need to deal with real life at some point and need to know that you can't run riot all the time - espically around cars!

Sparky - disabled doesn't mean in a wheelchair. You say you have never seen a disabled person get out of the cars parked in the spaces? What does a disabled person look like then?

Kevina - thanks. Having the trollies near by is also a big plus becuase otherwise you either have to leave your child in the car to put the trolley back or abandon it!

Ladybugs that is a good point!

I remember parking in a multistory when I was pregnant and not being able to get out of the car I was so big! I had to drive out the space and go take up 2 at the back of the car park! It was really funny at the time but a serious point!

Answer 1

your right you know

regards mummy kitti xxxx

Answer 2

I think this is a wonderful point. I have a teenager, a disabled son and a two year old. I have often thought that it would be fine if there were a "safe zone" for parents and tots who dont necessarily need to park right at the door.

Asda going to fine people? That would be amazing. Up till now shops would never do this at the risk of alienating customers. But i for one would guarantee my custome to a shop who put the disabled's needs first. Its so frustrating seeing a line of cars in the disabled bay with no blue badge. Its a nightmare trying to park anywhere other than a disabled bay, and would it be nasty to say that i think that its my sons right to use one? I would never dream of using a disabled bay when he is not in the car. And if i'm totally alone i'd never dream of using a parent and child bay.

I think people who do this are the lowest of the low.

The other day i even noticed a police car parked in a discabled bay at my local supermarket. The rest of the car park was pretty emptry and there were plenty of spaces which were nearer the door.

Good on Asda for taking the initiative.

Answer 3

I think the parking spaces are necessary for disabled people (and elderly) as they need to be as close to the store as possible but I don't really see why a mother can't push her pram a few further feet. It's ridiculous having all these different sections in a car park! I say disabled yes, mother and baby no.

I don't drive and I manage to do all my shopping just fine. Or if I need to get quite a lot I do it online.

I think apart from the disabled bays, it should be free for all

Plus from a legal point, I'm not sure if Asda are actually within their rights to fine people £60. I hope that anyone who gets a ticket refuses to pay. It's a joke

Answer 4

I think you have hit the nail on the head.

Many people think that people need these spaces because they can't be arsed to walk a bit further. This is not the case.
The truth is that some people are inconsiderate on car parks and they will park right up against your door, open their door on your door, scratch your car as they go in or out of the space.
When you have children you need to be able to open the doors wide enough to get the kids in and out, especially if you are on your own.

I think having spaces a bit further away would make a lot of difference. Obviously disabled parking spaces should be near the entrance. I tend to park across two normal spaces if there are no mother and toddler ones left.

Answer 5

Hi, Asda at St. Helens are trialling this project, and i wish you shopped at this store because i like your way of thinking, i take so much aggravation because of parking mother/baby spaces and disabled parking, really it should be defined that mother/ baby parking is only for people shopping with children under 5, not pulling up with older children and teenagers, the mother and baby parking spaces at Asda in St. Helens are actually out on the car park, and there are a few near the door. When i go back to work next week, (i have just got back from Cyprus) i will put your point forward about having baby trolleys near the mother/baby parking spaces. I will ring Asda House and tell them. As you have most probably guessed i work at Asda St. Helens, ( have you seen the report on the tv i have never seen our car park look as clean LOL). Thanks for your comments. Also it really aggravates me when able bodied people park in disabled parking bays, some people think that to be disabled you have to be in a wheelchair etc, but some disabilities you cannot see.

Answer 6

I Agree that they should charge people using these spaces when they have neither a disability or a child these spaces are there to help those that need them as you said the mother and baby ones are alot wider there is nothing worse then parking up coming out of the supermarket with your kids an making them stand on the road while you reverse the car out just so you can get your kids all strapped in coz the people next to your car have parked that close you can barely open the door.As for them being so close no there is no need for them to be so close maybe the disability spaces but not the mother and baby ones we'd be just as happy with them at the back of the carpark its the extra width thats the bonus not the closeness to the store but then theirs alot of people out there that feel an extra ten yards to the supermarket on foot is way too much!!

Answer 7

If they are too far back the risk of the child getting run over is increased. I dont really agree that they should exist at all. but as they do, they should be near the door. Maybe if they were further back and a footpath went around the carpark instead of through it.
Therte was nothing in place for my old mum, she could hardly walk but not disabled enough for a sticker . We had to park really far away from the store.
The people who spend the most it the supermarkets are the least valued in the carpark stakes. I wonder if there might be parent and 1 child bays parent and 2 childeren and so on. meanwhile Joe Public moved ever further away

I 100% support the disabled parking scheme

Answer 8

i think you have a point, i have 4 kids and appreciate the space around the bay, the reason people use them when they clearly don't need them is sheer laziness. having said that, when i have a full trolley and lets be honest, those things have a mind of their own, it would be difficult to manoeuvre it over the other side of the car park and having to supervise young kiddies at the same time. its a good theory but a bit of a catch 22. shopping is stressful enough.

Edit: and with regards to the disability side, my sister has a severely autistic son and she has a disabled badge for parking and because his disability isn't clearly visible, she has had many run ins with people abusing her for using the bays so now she doesn't bother.

Answer 9

Your point is totally sensible. Having kids doesn't make us lazy, but extra space to get kids in the carseats is appreciable. My husband is a wheelchair user and we get really angry when able-bodied people who can't be arsed to walk a few feet use the disabled spaces. No supermarket thus far has bothered to deal properly with the issue, and perhaps any money made from fines could be donated to a disabled charity. Our car has a disabled badge but when I am alone I still do not use the disabled spaces. It seems a shame that we have to legislate for selfishness doesn't it?

Answer 10

The Walmart near me used to have parking spaces up close for pregnant woman. They stopped doing it however. Not sure why. All parking spaces should be made wider. I understand what you are saying about small spaces and getting a child out. I have a minivan with sliding doors but it still is close quarters. My toddler has set off so many car alarms by touching them and most of the time its hard not to.

Answer 11

The 'blue badge' and 'mother and child' spaces are purposely near to the store doors to minimise possible danger to the people who need to use these spaces from other motorists and to make things generally easier for those people.
What gets me going is when I see someone using one of these spaces without need, ie. they dont have a blue badge or dont have kids in the car with them.
I spoke to a woman in our local Tesco the other evening who thought that by having a kids car seat in her car somehow or other entitled her to use a mother child space! Maybe sometimes she does have a child in the car with her but she didn't when I saw her!
Truth is that its easier to park another 40 metres away from the store as those spaces are more likely to be empty!