A survey of 1,000 UK motorists conducted by Tiger.co.uk has revealed that 51% support car park operators issuing penalties to drivers who wrongly use designated parent/child bays at supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Asda. These bays are reserved for parents or guardians accompanied by children aged 12 and under, providing extra space for manoeuvring pushchairs and car seats.
Widespread Misuse Observed
Two-thirds of respondents reported witnessing drivers parking in parent/child bays without qualifying. Ian Wilson, car insurance expert and Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk, emphasised the purpose of these spaces: 'Parent and child parking spaces exist to help families get young children in and out of vehicles safely, giving them extra room to lift out bulky pushchairs or car seats. They are also typically located close to the store entrance, meaning parents don’t have to walk their kids through a busy car park.'
Impact of Misuse
Misuse not only inconveniences families but can also lead to vehicle damage. Wilson added: 'When other drivers misuse these spaces, it not only inconveniences parents who genuinely need them by forcing them into narrower bays, it can also lead to unintentional and unnecessary damage to vehicles. Parents could damage their own vehicles trying to remove a car seat, or accidentally scratch or dent a neighbouring car, leading to costly repairs.'
Design and Location
Parent and child parking bays are found in private car parks across the country, particularly at supermarkets. They are wider than standard spaces to accommodate bulky child carriers and pushchairs, and are conveniently located near store entrances to minimise the distance children must walk across busy car parks. The dedicated spaces typically display an image of an adult and child on the floor or on nearby signage, sometimes both.
