Disabled Parking Spots

Peanut2011

I was out in Liffey Valley shopping centre over the long weekend and so it would seem a lot of other people too as it looked quite busy.

One thing I noticed was the disabled car park spots in front of the "cinema" entrance were being occupied by people with no disability badge or any visible disability.

Yes I am talking to the two ladies that took a baby out of the car in the the buggy and walked away, yes I am talking to the guy with glasses and two teenage girls who walked out of his Toyota Avensis and went to Eddie Rockets for food!!!

This really annoys me, especially as these two examples took the last two spots that were there.

What I really want to know is if the rest of you get as annoyed as I do or does it bother you at all? Do you park in these spots? Is it the self importance / entitlement attitude allowed?

And what would you recommend should be done to offending vehicles?

djimi

It takes a proper scumbag to park in a disabled space when they have no business being there.

Personally Id have no issue with offending vehicles being towed, preferably to the far side of the country. It is against the law to park in these spots though, isnt it?

MarkR

It does annoy me, they should be fined in an ideal world. So little point challenging them, it's hardly worthwhile. It should be down to the management company (where available) to monitor these, but usually it's just the deaf ear.

I'd never park in one, it's like drawing misfortune on yourself!

PCPhoto

Peanut2011 wrote: »

I was out in Liffey Valley shopping centre over the long weekend and so it would seem a lot of other people too as it looked quite busy.

One thing I noticed was the disabled car park spots in front of the "cinema" entrance were being occupied by people with no disability badge or any visible disability.

Yes I am talking to the two ladies that took a baby out of the car in the the buggy and walked away, yes I am talking to the guy with glasses and two teenage girls who walked out of his Toyota Avensis and went to Eddie Rockets for food!!!

This really annoys me, especially as these two examples took the last two spots that were there.

What I really want to know is if the rest of you get as annoyed as I do or does it bother you at all? Do you park in these spots? Is it the self importance / entitlement attitude allowed?

And what would you recommend should be done to offending vehicles?

the disability does not have to be visible ...just because someone doesn't look like they have a disability doesn't mean they do or dont.
A friend I know has a prosthetic leg (she lost her leg and husband in a car crash) and didn't have her badge with her when she parked in a disabled bay with her two young kids she was struggling to gather all her stuff (to the untrained eye you wouldn't see the prosthesis) ..anyway...a loud mouthed elderly woman came up to her shouting at her that she's a disgrace, parking in the disabled bay, in her SUV, two little kids ... all happy etc etc .... so she put the child which was in her left arm on the bonnet, the other child was in her buggy and the various bags required for two young kids were placed on the ground before she reached under her skirt and removed the bottom half of her prosthetic leg raised it in the air before putting it back on gathering up her kids and bags and walked away .... the other lady didn't apologise but did go silent.

in saying that ...these people are probably the same ignorant people who park in loading bays to pop into the shop or double park because they are only going to be gone for 5 mins.

there is a private clamping company operating in Liffey so you could/should have contacted them and at least get some sense of achievement, personally I think these people should have their cars lifted and moved/clamped....but it takes too much time/money/effort.

Of course there are also those with disability badges who park across two "normal" parking spaces and just abandon their vehicles for hours on end ....ignorance is a state of being and there are a lot of ignorant drivers in control of vehicles in this country....I'm sure I break/bend an occasional traffic law every now and again but I certainly wont park in a disabled bay.

K.Flyer

I can put up with, ignore, not give a damn, let it slide and have an indifferent attitude to motorists who decide to break the law, be it on their own head.
But parking in a disabled space by a perfectly capable person totally boils my blood.

Lord Nikon

Yes, it annoys me greatly, but it annoys me more at how ****ing lazy some people are, even if the carpark is full of places.

I also feel that someone with a physical disabililty should be entitled to use these spaces, in a wheelchair, on crutches, wooden leg. Someone who would find it actually hard to walk, or who is unable to walk at all.

I don't think someone who has a disability, but who can walk and run around should be entitled to use of these spaces.

I would recommend reporting these drivers to the owners of the carpark, or the attendant manning the carparks, but only if they are prepared to issue a fine, or clamp them. If they don't your only pissing in the wind.

I would not recommend inflicting damage to the vehicel, or hitting the driver either, karma will come back around for them.

biko

I'm not above saying "You know that's a disabled spot right?" if I'm close. Once these fools see that people actually pay attention they'll be less inclined to put themselves first, I hope..
It's when no-one seems to care they think they're ok to park where they like.

whomitconcerns

i remember saying that to someone in the square years ago...they used a more colourful way of telling me to mind my own business as a response.

PCPhoto

biko wrote: »

I'm not above saying "You know that's a disabled spot right?" if I'm close. Once these fools see that people actually pay attention they'll be less inclined to put themselves first, I hope..
It's when no-one seems to care they think they're ok to park where they like.

I have done that on a number of occasions - you either get a resulting "F*ck off !" , "whats it to you ?" or "I'll only be a minute" ..... I have photographs of Gardai, Taxi Drivers, Clampers, commercial vans and ordinary vehicles all parked in disabled bays.

I recently emailed a company asking if they had any drivers with disabilities and if so could they describe the driver ? As one of their vehicles was parked in a disabled bay without a badge on display.

Needless to say I was fobbed off .... even after I emailed the photograph of the van in the disabled bay - with NO disability badge on display and told them I have images of the driver jogging across the street avoiding traffic, I couldn't wait around for his return and he was walking a different direction to me so I couldn't confront him.... which is why I emailed the company.

I have issues with bad parking and driving ...it really sets me off !! ...just the pure ignorance of the people and the fact that society accepts it.

T-Maxx

Intellectually disabled?

johnty56

PCPhoto wrote: »

I have done that on a number of occasions - you either get a resulting "F*ck off !" , "whats it to you ?" or "I'll only be a minute" ..... I have photographs of Gardai, Taxi Drivers, Clampers, commercial vans and ordinary vehicles all parked in disabled bays.

I recently emailed a company asking if they had any drivers with disabilities and if so could they describe the driver ? As one of their vehicles was parked in a disabled bay without a badge on display.

Needless to say I was fobbed off .... even after I emailed the photograph of the van in the disabled bay - with NO disability badge on display and told them I have images of the driver jogging across the street avoiding traffic, I couldn't wait around for his return and he was walking a different direction to me so I couldn't confront him.... which is why I emailed the company.

I have issues with bad parking and driving ...it really sets me off !! ...just the pure ignorance of the people and the fact that society accepts it.

Did the van have somewhere else he could have parked? People who drive vans are generally doing so because they are collecting or delivering stuff, not just tooting about the place, or browsing in shops. Were there loading bays? were they occupied by cars? A van often won't fit in a regular parking spot. The guy is probably paid by the day.. ie, most likely working minimum wage or below, and in a hurry to make drops.
If you had the time to email the company, with the intention of getting the guy in trouble or lose him his job, then surely you had the time to wait and see how long he was. If he was jogging across the road it doesn't sound like he was dawdling.

Blazer

Parking is my pet peeve and I'm always ranting about it even driving herself nuts about it.
To me if you don't park properly you're nothing but a pig ignorant cvnt who deserves to have their car scratched to pieces.
For those parking in disable spots illegally I'd heartily endorse a mobile crushing truck and when the drivers come out give them a box with their car nicely crushed up in it.
Something like below

djimi

johnty56 wrote: »

Did the van have somewhere else he could have parked? People who drive vans are generally doing so because they are collecting or delivering stuff, not just tooting about the place, or browsing in shops. Were there loading bays? were they occupied by cars? A van often won't fit in a regular parking spot. The guy is probably paid by the day.. ie, most likely working minimum wage or below, and in a hurry to make drops.
If you had the time to email the company, with the intention of getting the guy in trouble or lose him his job, then surely you had the time to wait and see how long he was. If he was jogging across the road it doesn't sound like he was dawdling.

Without wanting to sound like Im on my high horse, it doesnt really matter why he was there or how long he intended to be; he shouldnt be using those spots, period.

Melion

Its no different to people parking in parent and child spaces IMO, something which the majority on here have no issue with.

DBK

I was with my brother going into Atlantic on the Naas road and some bloke just parked in a disabled spot and was strolling from his car. My brother said "are you disabled? Cause you fukin will be if you don't move your car". He's a sensitive soul

johnty56

I agree that people should park properly, but to suggest damaging their car is a little severe. Hypothetical situation.. you arrive at a car park. two spaces left however one of them is partially blocked by the bad parking of the car next to it. In order to park, you must partially obsure part of two spaces. You go to the shops. The car causing the original problem pulls off. Some fcukwit comes along and sees your car obstructing two spaces, and being a fcukwit decides that it is ok to scratch your car on the basis that 'that'll teach him'. How do you feel to come out and find your car scratched?

Melion

DBK wrote: »

I was with my brother going into Atlantic on the Naas road and some bloke just parked in a disabled spot and was strolling from his car. My brother said "are you disabled? Cause you fukin will be if you don't move your car". He's a sensitive soul

Hard man :rolleyes:

Peanut2011

Melion wrote: »

Its no different to people parking in parent and child spaces IMO, something which the majority on here have no issue with.

Absolutely agree with you on this. The local Aldi's car park always has the spots full with the self entitled idiots. Have no time for that either.

two wheels good

Melion wrote: »

Its no different to people parking in parent and child spaces IMO, something which the majority on here have no issue with.

Not really. When all the P&C spaces are full it causes some inconvenience keeping children safe and longer walk for the shopper. When all the disabled spaces are full it can mean severe inconvenience or even inability to visit the shop.
(and no, I don't advocate parking in P&C spaces)

djimi

johnty56 wrote: »

I agree that people should park properly, but to suggest damaging their car is a little severe. Hypothetical situation.. you arrive at a car park. two spaces left however one of them is partially blocked by the bad parking of the car next to it. In order to park, you must partially obsure part of two spaces. You go to the shops. The car causing the original problem pulls off. Some fcukwit comes along and sees your car obstructing two spaces, and being a fcukwit decides that it is ok to scratch your car on the basis that 'that'll teach him'. How do you feel to come out and find your car scratched?

If you cant park properly in one space then dont park. It doesnt matter what other cars are blocking the other spaces.

OldmanMondeo

People have the ability to be stupid and selfish. The attitude of "I am more important than anyone else so I can park where the hell I like" is alive and very healthy in Ireland. May it be Disabled parking spots, P&C spots, or private property where clamping exists, people will park there and should the get clamped, fined whatever, they will always blame someone else on it and look to get out of paying.

I have seen people park in disabled spots, I don't bother saying directly to them, no point, probably get a box in my face for it. But I agree, these cars should be towed with a very large fine for parking in disabled spots. Hefty storage fee as well.

DBK

Unless the car parks are monitored and actions done against the drivers, people will take the chance to park anywhere. If you go over to the likes of Liffey Valley on a busy day, there are people parked up on the paths.

Cantona's Collars

Melion wrote: »

Its no different to people parking in parent and child spaces IMO, something which the majority on here have no issue with.

Called a guy out on this last week,I was putting my kid into a stroller when lo & behold a car which had done a lap of the car park pulls up and on go the reversing lights.I stick my arms out and go "what are you at?" He gets out of his care to ask why I'm gesturing as he claimed to have seen the stroller behind him.My reply was that he was pulling into a parent & child space when he clearly had no kids with him-his response was: "What's it to you,I'm collecting some".
When I walked towards the doors of the store he parked up,then within seconds drove off again.

Whatever about parking there,taking up a disabled spot is scummy & it happens all the time at my local Lidl.

These should be put up in carparks.

gm1984

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mitosis

gm1984 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Park behind him so he can't get out until you leave.

gm1984

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corktina

in my local Lidl I often notice cars parked in Disabled and Mum and Baby spaces,which is really selfish if they are not entitled What you also get A LOT is people who just park at the door in no mans land....I know it doesn't SAY No Parking there but, come on, Kanturk is a quiet place and there are ALWAYS loads of empty proper spaces.

Peanut2011

corktina wrote: »

in my local Lidl I often notice cars parked in Disabled and Mum and Baby spaces,which is really selfish if they are not entitled What you also get A LOT is people who just park at the door in no mans land....I know it doesn't SAY No Parking there but, come on, Kanturk is a quiet place and there are ALWAYS loads of empty proper spaces.

same here with Aldi. There is space for at least 60 cars and at any one time most you will see is 20, yet all mum and baby spaces are full.

sillysmiles

Melion wrote: »

Its no different to people parking in parent and child spaces IMO, something which the majority on here have no issue with.

I disagree. If all the parent and child spaces are full you can still get park, get out of your car and go about your business. This is not the same for people genuinely requiring disabled parking spaces.

Called a guy out on this last week......

As far as I was aware parking in a p/c space is not illegal? But parking in a disabled space (rightly) is?

dudara

johnty56 wrote: »

I agree that people should park properly, but to suggest damaging their car is a little severe. Hypothetical situation.. you arrive at a car park. two spaces left however one of them is partially blocked by the bad parking of the car next to it. In order to park, you must partially obsure part of two spaces. You go to the shops. The car causing the original problem pulls off. Some fcukwit comes along and sees your car obstructing two spaces, and being a fcukwit decides that it is ok to scratch your car on the basis that 'that'll teach him'. How do you feel to come out and find your car scratched?

I wouldn't compound the error by parking there in that scenario, taking up another space. When you do that, you're multiplying the f*uckwit effect.

Seriously, if a child can't colour in between the lines by the time they're a certain age, then we start to get worried about their development. Yet adults can park (or drive) across or over lines and we don't say much.

Cantona's Collars

sillysmiles wrote: »

I disagree. If all the parent and child spaces are full you can still get park, get out of your car and go about your business. This is not the same for people genuinely requiring disabled parking spaces.




As far as I was aware parking in a p/c space is not illegal? But parking in a disabled space (rightly) is?

It's still just somebody being an asshole just because the spaces are nearest the doors,there were plenty of other spaces only about 30 to 50 feet away but for "Mr. I'll park where I want" this was too far away.

Worst case of laziness I saw was in Aldi about a month ago where somebody managed to get their car between the bollards and literally park at the doors.

Personally anyone who parks in a disabled spot should be clamped,never mind the "ah sure I'll only be a minute" excuse.

Jarren

Never parked in the disabled marked bay and hopefully never will unless disabled .

As for the parent and child spaces , if the carpark is full
then I don't have any issues with parking the car there .

whomitconcerns

i agree with jarren, if there are no other spaces I would park in a p&c space. The P&C spaces are for parents convenience which I agree with, but if there is no other parking why should their right to shop take precedence over mine.

However, handicapped spaces are there for necessity not convenience and I would never park in one under any circumstances.

Anan1

whomitconcerns wrote: »

but if there is no other parking why should their right to shop take precedence over mine.

Because you don't own the car park.

sillysmiles

zerks wrote: »

It's still just somebody being an asshole just because the spaces are nearest the doors,there were plenty of other spaces only about 30 to 50 feet away but for "Mr. I'll park where I want" this was too far away.

The exact same could be said about people who are a bit precious about p/c spaces - there were plenty of other spaces.

runawaybishop

Melion wrote: »

Its no different to people parking in parent and child spaces IMO, something which the majority on here have no issue with.

Disabled spaces are different as they are protected legally, parent and child aren't. You can park in a P+C space if you want (same deal with those e-toll spaces), you aren't breaking any law and are just being a dick.

Anan1

runawaybishop wrote: »

Disabled spaces are different as they are protected legally, parent and child aren't. You can park in a P+C space if you want (same deal with those e-toll spaces), you aren't breaking any law and are just being a dick.

Do disabled spaces have any legal status in a private car park?

Dardania

Anan1 wrote: »

Do disabled spaces have any legal status in a private car park?

It might have been a requirement of the planning permission for the car park

I've never seen a planning requirement for parent & child spaces...i suspect they're simply a corporate policy to appeal to a segment of supermaket shoppers

PCPhoto

johnty56 wrote: »

Did the van have somewhere else he could have parked? People who drive vans are generally doing so because they are collecting or delivering stuff, not just tooting about the place, or browsing in shops. Were there loading bays? were they occupied by cars? A van often won't fit in a regular parking spot. The guy is probably paid by the day.. ie, most likely working minimum wage or below, and in a hurry to make drops.
If you had the time to email the company, with the intention of getting the guy in trouble or lose him his job, then surely you had the time to wait and see how long he was. If he was jogging across the road it doesn't sound like he was dawdling.

there were spaces further up the same street but the disabled bay is at the start of the street so was first "available" space ...if he had driven another 5/6 car spaces he could have gotten a proper space and the nearest loading bay was 20feet back and was empty...so he had driven past it (or maybe didn't see it as its on the opposite side of the road)....it was one of those Car/van jobbies so fits into a normal space fine !

As regards the email , I emailed the company later that day, I was on my way into work and had my own work to do, I was not trying to get him into trouble or fired but trying to assess if he had a legitimate reason to park in a disabled bay (he may not have displayed the badge but may be entitled to do so), it was a question not an accusation made to the company....based on an observation that I made.

Regardless of whether he was dawdling or not, its illegal to park in a disabled bay without a disabled badge ....and anyone who does so is amongst the most ignorant of drivers and deserves to be reprimanded ....if he was in a hurry, late or on minimum wage or below doesn't matter ...if he had been fined or clamped during his time in the disabled bay ...he would have to pay it.

Anan1

Dardania wrote: »

It might have been a requirement of the planning permission for the car park

It probably was, but that's not the same as legal status. Would a Garda issue a ticket to a car parked on a private disabled spot?

runawaybishop

Anan1 wrote: »

Do disabled spaces have any legal status in a private car park?

Yes and no, typically they are made a condition of planning permission by local councils. In private car parks the local traffic warden wont police them though.

Anan1 wrote: »

It probably was, but that's not the same as legal status. Would a Garda issue a ticket to a car parked on a private disabled spot?

Nope.

Anan1

runawaybishop wrote: »

Yes and no, typically they are made a condition of planning permission by local councils. In private car parks the local traffic warden wont police them though.


Nope.

In that case disabled spaces are no more legally protected than p&c spaces so?

runawaybishop

Anan1 wrote: »

In that case disabled spaces are no more legally protected than p&c spaces so?

There is a larger fine for parking in a council disabled spot. I do not believe the council make any requirements on the provision of p+c spaces.

Anan1

runawaybishop wrote: »

There is a larger fine for parking in a council disabled spot. I do not believe the council make any requirements on the provision of p+c spaces.

We're talking about disabled spaces in supermarkets, the council won't fine for parking in them any more than they will for parking in a p&c space. Both are on private property.

runawaybishop

Anan1 wrote: »

We're talking about disabled spaces in supermarkets, the council won't fine for parking in them any more than they will for parking in a p&c space. Both are on private property.

Oh right, carry on then!

Anan1

runawaybishop wrote: »

Oh right, carry on then!

FFS, that was in the first post!

runawaybishop

Anan1 wrote: »

FFS, that was in the first post!

Ya, but i got excited thinking about the legalities of designated parking. Don't deny its never happened to you.

sillysmiles

Is a shopping centre "private parking"?

Melion

Sorry but someone parking in a parent and child space preventing me from doing so when I am with my daughter is the same as me parking in a disabled space. Anyone who says otherwise is kidding themselves. In a supermarket/shopping centre, neither are illegal.

runawaybishop

sillysmiles wrote: »

Is a shopping centre "private parking"?

If the shopping center own and manage it, yes.

Melion wrote: »

Sorry but someone parking in a parent and child space preventing me from doing so when I am with my daughter is the same as me parking in a disabled space. Anyone who says otherwise is kidding themselves. In a supermarket/shopping centre, neither are illegal.

No, its not the same. Kids arent a disability

OldmanMondeo

All disabled parking spots should have a legal standing. Penalty points for people abusing them.