A pet peeve of mine that got way worse once my SIL was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, is abled people parking on disable parking spots. Really. Are you blind? …. well if you are blind you shouldn’t be driving. Do you not understand the sign? Then you shouldn’t be driving either.
I normally just swear complain by myself. Yesterday though, just as I left the gym, a woman drove right up and parked in the disabled spot. Right in front of the gym.
I first walked away but then turned around and decided that I can’t just let it go. I walked up to her and very politely explained that it is a disabled spot and it’s for disabled people. That my SIL has MS (sorry Maggs for using you there) and when people park in the disabled spots…right at the door…she has to park far away and by the time she gets to the pool, she is too exhausted to exercise. She didn’t get defensive! She said that she never thought of it that way huh? and that we must tell the management huh? but she will make sure not to stop there again. I asked her to please talk to others about it too. That it’s the only way we’ll get people to read the signs realize why we have the parking spaces. BTW she didn’t move her car…small steps right?
Just as I turned to leave, someone else pulled into the other parking space. The wife has a baby on her lap (another pet peeve). I walk up to the husband and politely again asked him if he realized it’s a disabled parking spot. He replies with - well we do have a baby huh? - Same story. Same explanation and it seems as though maybe he got it.
Really though…how do people motivate parking in disabled areas?
June 24, 2008 at 12:49 pm
That is very wrong of people. They are very good here at providing parking for mothers with children too.
June 24, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I agree that parking for mothers with toddlers are wonderful. Especially at shoppings centres where you hands are full as it is. However, at the gym…where you don’t have anything to carry…and you have to bring your child with…you can park where all the other people do.
I wish they would get parking for moms here BTW. SO much easier than having to run across the parking are with three kids lol
June 24, 2008 at 1:23 pm
It is human nature (apparently) to not follow rules unless they are heavily enforced. Now, you know I’m not a fan of human nature in general, and this is just a case in point.
Anyway, we were at Menlyn Park once, and I happened to be using a wheelchair at the time. The disabled parking bays were blocked with chains, and a board that read: “Hoot if you are Disabled”.
I actually found it quite hilarious at the time. (In manner of ‘If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands, rah rah!…) So you hoot, and then one of the attendants comes and removes the chain for you. But how sad that the only way they can keep those bays open for use is by using a system like that!
In the words of Nick Cave - People Just Ain’t No Good!
June 24, 2008 at 4:04 pm
That is a HUGE pet peeve of mine as well. Drives me completely crazy, and makes me really angry. I’ve never had the guts to confront anyone though- so Bravo to you!
June 24, 2008 at 7:12 pm
In the States, you can get a ticket for parking in a handicapped parking spot without displaying the proper information. Most of the time, people are pretty good about not parking there.
June 24, 2008 at 7:43 pm
one supermarket had the cash machines next to the disabled parking bay and the bays were always full with people parking running to the cash machine then back to the car. when the supermarket had a re-build they moved the cash machines, and now if you park in the disabled bay without a sticker you get a letter put on your car and the number taken if you park again a stronger worded letter, third time your towed. once two or three people had been towed not so many park in the bay now
June 24, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Like Jenn said, in the US there are heavy fines associated with parking in a disabled spot if you don’t have the designation on your license plate which keeps them pretty clear. (Of course, some still risk it–which apparently proves that lazy comes with a certain amount of crazy.)
June 24, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Wow, that does take the cake - I hate it when people do that here, too. I’m glad you spoke up! And as for the dad — um, having a baby in the car does NOT make one disabled. Though having the baby on your LAP can lead to the baby being disabled or killed if in an accident. He’s a double doofus!
June 24, 2008 at 8:01 pm
See here in our country they don’t take that seriously. No-one will get fined for parking in a disabled spot, so people aren’t worried that they will be prosecuted
June 24, 2008 at 8:17 pm
OK You know this is my pet peeve. This is most probably the ONLY time I will approach somebody doing something wrong. I start shaking I get so the ‘m–r-in!’ So good to you, keep it cool and try and spread the word.
Another answer often received is “I am just parking here quickly, I won’t be long!!!#@#@#@”
June 24, 2008 at 9:16 pm
But hey…if they are blind then they are disabled…which means they are entitled to the spot… :o) just playing devil’s advocate. Yeah I dont think it matters if it is for a short time. It is a law right? And a law is a law. You wouldn’t say “I was driving drunk but I only had a short way to go. You still get arrested for that.
June 24, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Blah.
Hate it too. Hubby manages a supermarket, and has to move along people all day from those spaces. Mostly they just scream abuse at him and refuse. Gets right on my goat. Ignorance, pure and simple.
And don’t get me started on unrestrained kids!!
June 24, 2008 at 10:27 pm
My Mom after a series of events had to have her left leg amputated after suffering a heart attack - one of the first things she said to us was “at least now she’ll be able to always find a parking bay”. Sadly she didn’t leave the hospital and take advantage of the disabled bay, but I tell you I specifically look out for illegal parkers that utilise these bays and when they get out of the cars, I walk up to them and say “wow what a miracle, you can walk …” I also tell them that it is not proper for them to park there and could they remove their car or I will call security. Bless my Mom I bet she is smiling down each time I do that. PS : thanks for leaving a comment on my blog, you also Rock!
June 25, 2008 at 1:05 am
You could always park right behind them so they can’t back out without having to call security. I know that’s pretty spiteful and I’ve never tried it but boy have I been tempted. My mom was also an amputee and enjoyed “walking” up to people with her walker or wheelchair and reminding them not to park in the handicap spots. Always fun to see their faces.
June 25, 2008 at 5:32 am
i agree and good on you for making a stand
June 25, 2008 at 1:25 pm
so having a baby disables you?! i can never just walk away… i always make a comment loud enough for the culprits to her… like…
drum roll
SO YOU FORGOT THE WHEELCHAIR AT HOME TODAY, DID YOU????!!!!
June 25, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I agree!!
As for the mom with the baby on her lap… I would have told her that she clearly wants to be disabled or kill her baby! That is my MAJOR pet peeve!
June 25, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Kudos to you for saying something….I hate that too!!! And see it here and there…I usually growl and complain to myself but maybe next time I will say something too!!
June 26, 2008 at 5:39 am
Argh! I agree they shouldn’t be parking there! And since when does having a baby make you disabled?! Give me a break!
June 26, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Physically able persons who park in disabled spots are mentally disabled! I don’t know why they don’t feel guilty doing it.
June 26, 2008 at 6:45 pm
That drives me crazy too! As a matter of fact, I don’t even go for the closest spot knowing that there’s probaby a mother of three needing that spot, and I would rather hike to the store the extra 15 spaces than watch a mother of three or some elderly person walk all that way when all I needed to do was leave the good spot for them. It’s really not a big deal, besides, my butt is getting big from all this sitting, gotta get the excercise in when I can!
Don’t the police there give out tickets for people that park in the handicapped spots when they shouldn’t? They do here, though not nearly enough. It’s not like they patrol car parks looking for this stuff.
June 27, 2008 at 8:45 am
Rebekah ~ Nope. I have never heard or seen it being done. Love that you would give me parking - having three kids and all
I agree though…we should all park further. Can only be good for our hips lol ~