Supermarket shoppers are being urged to report fellow motorists who may be breaking parking rules at Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and other major UK supermarkets.
Customers have been asked to report drivers who misuse parent and child parking bays.
The wider parking spaces are designed to help parents safely get young children and pushchairs in and out of vehicles, and are usually located close to store entrances.
However, some motorists use them without having children with them.
The RAC is reminding shoppers that it is better to speak to a store manager rather than confronting the driver directly.
The RAC says: “Parent and child parking bays are found in private car parks across the country, particularly in supermarkets.
“The dedicated spaces will usually display an image of an adult and child on the floor or a nearby signpost. Sometimes both are used.
“In the frustrating event that you spot someone misusing a parent and child bay, it’s best to talk to a store manager.
"Approaching somebody using a dedicated bay without young passengers could lead to a hostile situation, so try not to get carried away by the injustice of it all.”
Amanda Roscoe, signage and print expert at Carrick Signs, added: "Parent and child spaces are probably one of the most debated signs in supermarket car parks," says Roscoe.
"People often see an empty space and think they'll only be a few minutes, but these bays are there to make life easier for parents who need extra room for car seats, buggies and getting children in and out of the car safely."
While misuse of parent and child bays does not usually result in a legal fine, some supermarket car parks have their own rules and can issue private parking charges. These are often around £60 to £100 if a driver breaches the terms displayed on the signs.
Can Blue Badge holders park in parent and child spaces?
In many cases, no.
Parent and child spaces are intended for parents or guardians travelling with young children, typically under the age of 12. They are wider than standard bays to allow room for pushchairs, child seats and safely getting children in and out of vehicles.
If you're a Blue Badge holder visiting a supermarket, shopping centre or retail park, you should normally use one of the designated disabled bays instead - unless signs tell you otherwise.
Why doesn't my Blue Badge apply?
The Blue Badge scheme mainly applies to parking on public roads and local authority car parks.
Government guidance makes clear that off-street car parks such as supermarkets, hospitals and shopping centres operate under their own rules, with operators deciding how disabled parking and parent and child bays are managed.
That means supermarkets are free to decide who can use their parent and child spaces and whether a Parking Charge Notice should be issued if the rules are broken.
Could you get fined?
You won't usually receive a council Penalty Charge Notice because supermarket car parks are private land.
However, you could receive a Parking Charge Notice from the private parking company managing the site if you park in a parent and child bay without meeting the retailer's conditions.
Individual retailers have different policies, so it's always worth checking the signs before leaving your vehicle.
What can Blue Badge holders use?
A valid Blue Badge can provide a range of parking concessions, including:
- Parking in designated disabled bays.
- Free parking at many on-street pay-and-display bays - those on public roads administered by the council, not private companies.
- Parking on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours where loading restrictions do not apply - although check with your local council as this can vary.
- Access to council-operated disabled parking concessions, depending on local rules.
These concessions generally do not automatically extend to private supermarket or retail park car parks.
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