Watch where you park at the supermarket!
21/01/2008
ASDA has become the first supermarket to fine drivers if they park in bays designated as disabled and parent and child spaces. The move follows a successful trial last year in the north of England, and has been welcomed by Mobilise, the national disabled motorists`charity.
Helen Smith, Director of Policy and Campaigns for Mobilise, said: "We fully support ASDA`s decision to fine people abusing parking bays. Since 2002 our organisation, as part of the Baywatch campaign, has been putting pressure on the supermarkets to tackle this problem.
This year the Baywatch survey showed at ASDA 23% of the disabled bays were being abused, so I am glad they have decided to tackle this problem head on. Not being able to park in a disabled bays means that some disabled people will not be able to do their shopping. We sincerely hope that other supermarkets will follow ASDA`s lead."
Fortunately, a survey found that four out of five ASDA customers supported the idea, even with a hefty £60 fine attached, and believed rolling out the scheme nationwide was the right thing to do.
For more information on Mobilise visit the site below.
What is YOUR opinion and experience on people wrongly parking in disabled spaces? email editorial@maturetimes.co.uk.