Do you use a parent and child spaces? THIS could land you with a parking fine

One in ten Brits admit to parking in a parent-and-child bay even when they do not have a child in the car because they are not scared of getting punished.

The ‘offence’ is not illegal but hundreds of supermarkets and businesses impose their own hefty fines to dissuade ‘lazy’ shoppers from using the spaces without children.

But as so many motorists continue to flout the rules, it has prompted calls for a strict crackdown and the introduction of an on-the-spot £25 fine.

And a survey by YourParkingSpace.co.uk found 10 per cent of motorists would even back a temporary ban from the supermarket for repeat offenders.

Harrison Woods, managing director at YourParkingSpace.co.uk, said: “Parent-and-child parking at supermarkets is a hot topic and often creates strong opinion, as demonstrated by our survey results which show most people want some sort of punishment for motorists who use supermarket parent-and-child parking spaces when they shouldn’t be.”

Currently the rules on parking in parent and child spaces are confusing and differ wildly across the country. 

A spokesman for the AA said: “Some supermarkets already fine drivers who abuse mother and baby parking spaces.

“The problem is where enforcement isn’t done by a human but cameras. There needs to be the presence of a warden to act as a physical deterrent, with the discretion to give a warning.

“Many people would see the sense in reducing the age limit as 12 year olds should be able to walk across a car park.

“However, the upper age limit probably reflects the law on use of child restraints – with few exceptions, all children under 12 years and under 135cm tall must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in any car or goods vehicle.”

The parameters and the boundaries of the law are somewhat unclear however as one motorists found out. 

A heavily pregnant woman was recently fined £70 for using a parent and child bay at Asda because she ‘wasn’t a parent yet.’

The 23-year-old was shocked to find a parking ticket on her window.

After tracking down the attendant she was handed a ticket. 

She said: “I found the parking attendant and his manager to question the decision.

“He was incredibly rude and told me I did’nt count as a parent yet.”

A spokesman for Asda said: “Our disclaimers do state the child must be with you in the car to warrant parking in the mother and baby spaces, which is why the lady received a ticket.”