One in four parent and child parking bays used by drivers who don’t have kids – and they’re not breaking the law
ONE in four parent and child parking bays across the country are being used by drivers with no kids.
But motorists who park in the designated spaces aren’t actually breaking the law.
A recent study by Confused.com revealed more than a quarter of parent and child parking bays are being used by people without children.
The investigation monitored supermarkets across the country to find out who is using the dedicated spaces.
Shockingly, the study also found that a third of parents with a child under the age of 12 are forced to leave a car park because all the limited parking spaces were taken.
Found at the entrance to supermarkets, the larger bays offer motorists with young children more space to get car seats and prams out of the vehicle.
Using one of these bays without kids in the car isn’t illegal as they are usually on private land owned by the supermarket.
But private firms can slap you with a fine if you misuse one.
Car parks are required to clearly display their rules for the use of parent and child spaces, along with the potential penalty if you break them.
Some spots will require you to take kids out of the car with you to be eligible, while others state kids must be using a booster seat if you want to park in one.
Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, said: “Parents face battles every day and trying to find parking at the local shop shouldn’t be one of them.
latest motors news
“And this is something I’ve experienced myself with my own children.
“What is clear is if you aren’t travelling with a child you shouldn’t be parking in the dedicated spaces and instead save these for the mums and dads out there who need the space.
Earlier this year, a mum-of-three was fined £260 for using one of the spaces because she didn’t take her kids out of the car with her.