Are you sitting comfortably? I am going to have a rant.
First a relatively minor one...
These spaces are not for Joe Public, who is in a hurry and doesn't want to walk from the other side of the carpark. And people who park in such spaces should display their blue badge.
So the other day, when we returned to our car outside a busy Sainsburys, and a couple pulled into the adjacent space and both jumped out, and set off speedily towards the InPost lockers, Bob called out in a cheerful tone "Hey! You've forgotten to display your blue badge!"
The man said "We'll only be two minutes, we are going to the InPost Locker" and the woman said "oh, I'm waiting for my blue badge" I know not all disabilities are visible, and maybe she was 'waiting for her blue badge' to arrive...but as we drove away, I was pretty certain they did not return to the car after depositing their parcel, but walked towards the supermarket. Bad behaviour if you ask me.
But that is nothing compared to the utterly selfish people on the Norfolk coast this weekend,.
The man said "We'll only be two minutes, we are going to the InPost Locker" and the woman said "oh, I'm waiting for my blue badge" I know not all disabilities are visible, and maybe she was 'waiting for her blue badge' to arrive...but as we drove away, I was pretty certain they did not return to the car after depositing their parcel, but walked towards the supermarket. Bad behaviour if you ask me.
But that is nothing compared to the utterly selfish people on the Norfolk coast this weekend,.
On Sunday morning, seven people, including four children were trapped on a sandbank with an incoming tide at Wells Next the Sea. This is not uncommon at this time of year, visitors do not heed the warnings
The siren sounded and the volunteer lifeboat crew scrambled to get to the station so they could launch a rescue craft - only to discover that holidaymakers had taken up all the crew's designated parking spaces by the lifeboat station. Which obviously delayed the rescue - where every minute counts as lives are at risk.This is unbelievable thoughtlessness - I am grateful that this time, all the stranded people were rescued safely. Operations manager Chris Hardy said “Today, our crew experienced difficulties parking when
responding to this shout.The restricted parking near the lifeboat station is
clearly marked for RNLI crew and emergency access, and it is vital that these
spaces are kept clear." He asked visitors to respect the restrictions
staff, who try to enforce them. Parking issues persisted throughout the bank holiday weekend
The crew pleaded again with people not to park in their spaces after more
issues on Monday morning. "We are asking everyone, respectfully but very
clearly: please do not park in or block RNLI access areas, emergency service
spaces, slipways, gates or turning areas,"
Personally I feel that people who park in the RNLI Crew spaces should have their cars towed away and impounded, and be fined for reckless endangerment of life. I don't think people would park their cars in ambulance bays, or across the front of the fire station. Why do they think it is ok to regard these spaces at Wells as "Free Parking"?
I'm with you all the way! My sister used to have some notices "You've got my parking spot. Would you like my disability?" I don't think I've got the nerve for that! I've heard people talk very loudly near me about the unfairness of disabled people having reserved parking and have agreed with them that things are unfair and telling them that I'd give them my disability if I could and would even give them the £10 fee for a blue badge.
ReplyDeleteAnd when it comes to people parking in lifeboat crews reserved spaces they are beneath contempt.
Your sister's notices make a valid point.
DeleteSomehow over the last 20 years many people seem to have become more selfish and entitled. It's so sad and I have no idea how they will change
ReplyDeleteI agree, many people have become more self centred
DeleteThere has been some awful trouble with visitors to coastal towns over the bank holiday and ensuing week with warm weather. Thoughtless and illegal parking, people using gardens as toilets, violent and unsociable behaviour in sho ps, restaurants and pubs. We have seen some of it here in our small coastal town and our son in Brighton has witnessed quotes few incidents of antisocial behaviour. It makes me feel very sad and quite angry too. We need to have a rant at times and I agree with you about parking in RNLI reserved spaces. Regards Sue H
ReplyDelete👍
DeleteThis type of behaviour seems to be getting more common. Too many people only think of themselves and their convenience.
ReplyDelete😥
DeleteI feel sorry for people whose property is damaged by selfish people. It frustrates me that there are some dog walkers round here whose dogs leave deposits in the gardens (although I'm grateful that 99% of owners use poop bags and clear up the mess) But if a human tried it, I think I might turn my garden hose on them.
ReplyDeleteI've never thought of the reply "you've got my spot, would you like my disability?" Neat.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how people can enjoy a guilt-free day at the beach having parked in reserved RNLI, disabled blue badge or other emergency spaces, and how they can contribute to the waste left behind when they go home(2 tonnes on Brighton beach). How do we make social responsibility a "British Value" instead of some of the other things they come up with?
It is their sense of entitlement that gets to me...
DeleteViolators of handicapped parking spaces here are fined, but, of course, it all depends on enforcement, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt does
DeleteInconsiderate parking is just wrong. I agree their cars should be towed and a fine to get it back. Carole R
ReplyDeleteAnd the fine should go to the RNLI
DeleteI suppose that clamping the car wouldn’t help, but there should be a hefty fine and points on the driver’s licence for parking which impedes the emergency services.
ReplyDeleteIt is becoming common here for drivers to park on and completely block the pavement.
I agree
DeleteOur world is fast becoming entitled, self-centered and selfish which is sad to me.
ReplyDelete😥
DeleteIt seems as if people have no sense of shame and never imagine they might need an ambulance or other emergency support which they've blocked by inconsiderate parking.
ReplyDeleteOn a simialr vein; our local park cafe has a seating area for staff by the kitchen door, the park has clean, safe public toilets almost adjacent but a woman allowed her son to urinate in this area and gave a robust and offensive reply to the cafe owner's rebuke. As someone whose first word is always sorry, even when not at fault, I can't get into the mindset of this behaviour.
By the by French supermarket disabled parking bays have the sign 'take my space, take my disability'
Jill x
What horrid behaviour at the café
DeleteI absolutely agree with you on this issue, Angela.
ReplyDeleteSome very selfish and entitled individuals putting lives at risk. Every second counts in an emergency.
Life or death
DeleteYou are absolutely right. I think if fines could be collected it would stop it.
ReplyDeleteI remember a woman , years ago, who had a special little booklet of post it notes printed. They said " Selfish Parking" and she used them in parking lots to pop on the windows of cars which were parked badly, over lines etc. These days people probably need more than a gentle reminder like that in order to behave. JanF