I don’t have kids but I still park in the mum & baby parking area… can call me selfish, but it’s not illegal, I checked
DRIVING with kids can be quite the nightmare – which is why parent and child parking spots can make a huge difference.
One person who makes the most out of this parking area is an anonymous writer from Australia – except… they don’t have any kids.
Sharing their thoughts with Kidspot, the person confessed and admitted they weren’t ashamed of their behaviour – but insisted they weren’t ”as heartless as you might think”, as there’s more to the story.
The main reason the Aussie writer chooses to park in the designated parent spots is being in a rush and ”pretty time-poor” – however, they also hate car parks in general.
” I’ve lost my car more times than I’d like to admit, to the point where car park security had to rescue me in their buggy once, and I had to go around with my buzzer, hoping to hear a zap for half an hour. ”
Since the event – which left the driver mortified – they’ve decided to sneak into a parent-and-pram spot when the situation permits.
”You can call me selfish, entitled and lazy. But a criminal? Nope, it’s not illegal — I checked!
”But really, what are you going to do about it, huh? Perform a citizen’s arrest? Unlikely. Your hands are already too full with your kids and your shopping, right?”
There’s more to the story
According to the driver, they’re not the monster you may assume them to be – and they do have some principles, which all come down to ”common sense”.
For instance, if they’re late and the car park is deserted, then it’s ”game on” – after all, it’s not really ”hurting anyone”, they added.
Of course, on occasions where the car park was heaving with cars, the driver wouldn’t dare and would simply park in a normal spot ”like an upstanding member of society”.
”Is this really that evil?”
Describing themselves as a ”self-aware a***ole” who’s ”flirting with life’s grey areas”, the Aussie wanted others to take a look at their own ”questionable habits”, such as ”abandoning shopping trolleys in the middle of nowhere”.
”No? Just me, then?”
Although the driver realised they may be heading ”on a one-way trip to hell”, not only had they come to terms with it – they also wouldn’t have it any other way.
According to them, they’ve lived ”as efficiently as possible and didn’t waste a minute longer than” needed desperately trying to navigate ”the hellscapes that are shopping centre car parks”.
Is it illegal to stand in a parking spot to save it?
It is legal to simply stand in a parking space – despite what other drivers may assume.
You can stand there until your vehicle or a friend’s car arrives and fills the gap.
However, the situation can easily get complicated.
What is the parking space law in the UK?
A driver who acts aggressively and attempts to intimidate a standing person could be liable for dangerous driving.
If they are found to be liable they could be expecting a hefty £1000 fine.
Meanwhile, a pedestrian who is proven to be a “nuisance” by blocking a space can also find themselves in trouble
According to the government website, a nuisance parking offender can be issued a £100 fixed penalty notice.