Motorists are being urged to report fellow drivers who misuse parent and child parking bays at major supermarkets including Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons. The RAC has advised that those who park in these bays without a child under 12 could face a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) if they refuse to move when asked.
Parent and Child Bays: Rules and Age Limits
Parent and child parking bays are wider than standard spaces, designed to allow parents or guardians with children aged 12 or under to manoeuvre more easily and park closer to the store entrance. However, there have been many incidents of drivers using these bays without children, causing inconvenience for families.
The RAC stated: "Parent and child bays are reserved for parents or guardians with one or more children under 12 years old. It's unclear whether pregnant women can use the spaces and probably best to ask an individual store manager what their rules are."
Reporting Misuse: What to Do
The RAC recommends that if you spot someone misusing a parent and child bay, you should report it to a store manager or a member of staff. The store may then ask the driver to move their vehicle via the public address system. If the driver refuses, they could be issued a fine.
Experts at StartRescue added: "If someone parks in a child/parent space but does not have a child with them, they will probably be asked to move their vehicle (via the supermarket's public address system). It's also possible a fine may be levied for those who refuse to move their vehicle."
Legal Implications and Exceptions
While it is not illegal to park in a parent and child bay without a child, it can lead to a PCN if the driver does not comply with store rules. Disabled drivers are advised to use dedicated blue badge bays instead. The RAC also noted that it is unclear whether pregnant women can use parent and child bays, suggesting they check with the store manager.
