I can understand the need for them especially when parking spots are so narrow. Whether a pram/stroller are used it is the space that is needed to open the door wide enough to get a child in and out of a car seat. I have two adult disabled daughters, both are intellectually disabled , not physically, and I know how difficult it is to get them in and out of the car due their size, lack of co-ordination and the narrowness of parking spaces.

In my opinion this comes down to a little thoughtfulness towards others. When others are in more need for this parking spot then yourself, then leave them to be used by others.

Parents with newborns and toddlers should be entitled to use them and there should be more at shopping centres. You do need much more space to get them in and out of the car. I don’t mind seeing elderly or disabled persons using these spaces either as they also need more space and convenient parking however those people that just use it because they are too lazy to walk is just a joke.

If you really feel that you need to be that much closer to the doors then you probably should be able to park there. Otherwise leave them for others who need them. Basically – don’t be selfish 🙂

Sometimes I don’t take the stroller out but the space is needed to get her out of the seat!

We don’t usually use them now our kids are older; but I have a disability, so my husband sometimes pulls in to let me out of the car close to the shops, then parks elsewhere.

At some shopping centres you have to apply and get a permit sticker and keep visible in your car. It is very difficult to put a newborn up to toddler size into the car and hold the door so it doesn’t hit the car parked next to it. The parking bays in some shopping centres are VERY narrow. Certainly not wide enough for vehicles like some 4WDs or People Movers which are wider than a lot of sedans are. Most sedans are no longer wide enough to fit a combination of 3 baby / booster seats. In some of the older models you could fit 3 but they jammed together and just about touching the car doors.

I wouldn’t use them just in case a parent with a pram needs it.

Unless it requires a permit then anyone can park there, regardless of the signs.

I’ve never parked there. I always thought it was just with parents with small kids.

I have never understood why people complain about this so often. It is a courtesy spot. Anyone can park there. If one is free, park there. If it isn’t, park somewhere else. I had someone get shitty with me for parking there when I had my baby in a carrier. I happily sat in my car breastfeeding my baby because that woman wanted the spot. Too bad for you, lady.

One comment in the article says anyone can park in these spaces, is that right? Me, I would think they are for parents with young children, not necessarily ones in a pram.
But if it’s true that anyone can use these spaces, that’s it’s a recommendation not a law, is that also the case with disabled parking spaces?

I believe pram spaces are primarily for those with prams. Children who require a pram are those that are more likely to need help in and out of a car and therefore need wider car spaces to open doors fully. It also allows for the parent to maneuver the pram next to the car and keep the child in view, rather than at the rear of a car (such as after getting the pram from the boot). This particularly applies when you have more than one child and need to keep view of both.

I use the pram spaces when I have my baby. They are bigger and makes it easier to get her in and out of the car. I would say that anyone with young kids in car seats should be able to use them as it can be hard to get them in and out of their car seats if the spaces aren’t big enough.

I use them at my local woolies when I can. But usually only when I have my baby with me, even though I don’t put her in a pram. I do it so I don’t have to carry her too far to get to a trolley, don’t have to cross a road to get to the car while trying to wrangle heavy loaded trolley. It also allows me to load my baby into the car and quickly put the trolley away without the trolley bay being 3/4 of the car park away. My coles on the other hand is right in front of where the smokers go, so I avoid that like the plague.
When it’s just myself and my 3.5yr old, I don’t park in those bays though.
I do believe they are courtesy though, so I don’t get angry when others park there. I just wish these people would have more consideration esp if they have to ask if I need help with the heavy trolley and/or wrangling heavy trolley with baby in it while trying to stop my 3.5yr old running all over the road. FYI she doesn’t but she has almost chasing a balloon.