Shoppers at major supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, and Sainsbury's are being advised to stop using parent and child parking bays once their children reach a certain age, or risk facing fines. According to the RAC, these designated spaces are intended for parents or guardians travelling with one or more children under the age of 12.
Age limit clarification
Avalon Motor Co explains: “In almost all supermarket car parks, you’ll find designated spaces for parent and child parking, and they’re usually closer to the store doors to save parents having to cross more of the busy car park than is necessary. Whilst it can seem ambiguous as to who can park there, we’re here to clear things up: you can park in a parent and child parking space if you’re entering the shop with a child that is under 12 years old. The age of 12 is used as the limit, as this is the age up to which a child must be secured in the vehicle using child restraints, such as child car seats. If you’re going into the shop on your own and leaving a child with another adult in the car, you must use an ordinary parking space.”
Public reactions
On Reddit, one user shared an experience: "Last year I had an argument with a woman at Sainsbury's who parked in one of the parent and child spaces with no child to be seen. When I pulled her up on it, she said, 'Well actually she's just gone across the road quickly.' She shut up very quickly when I told her that if her child is old enough to cross a busy main road by herself, she does not need a parent and child space."
Another parent commented: "I have a four-year-old and a baby and it's so stressful trying to get both of them in and out of the car in a regular space. When we just had one I could at least pull the car over to one side of a normal bay. Now it's ridiculous." A third user added: "I'd prefer it if supermarkets put the parent and toddler bays further away from the entrance. That would drastically reduce the number of people who don't need them using them. From a mum of a 2.5-year-old and an eight-month-old."
