Hello!

39 Comments

Mum sparks massive online debate after asking whether pram-only parking spaces are for parents with children who can walk or those with prams only.

The woman posted on a local Facebook community group after she noticed that ’90 per cent of the parents that park here can walk and don’t have prams’.

‘Are these bays just for parents (with kids) that can walk or just for prams only for like kids like newborn or that can’t walk because 90 per cent of parents that park here there kids can walk and don’t have prams?,’ she posted.

The post attracted close to 200 comments, with mothers and fathers disagreeing about the nature of the parking spaces, shares Daily Mail.

While some thought it was perfectly fine to use the spaces with toddlers, others disagreed entirely.

‘I use them with my toddler sometimes as the spaces are bigger and you need to open the door wider to get them out of the car seats,’ one woman wrote.

‘Anyone can park there. Literally anyone! It’s a recommendation not a law,’ another added.

What is the law?

Daily Mail shares that according to the NRMA, the parking spaces with a distinctive pram symbol are not enforced under the law.

Any driver can legally park in these spots – but a car park management have the right to ask someone to vacate the space if they don’t have a pram or infant.

It’s at the management’s discretion how they choose to enforce parent parking rules.

NRMA said the right thing to do comes down to ‘common courtesy’.

Do you use the pram only parking bays at all?

Share your comments below

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • I feel they are designed for those that have young children that need to be strapped into carseats so they need the extra room to have those car doors opened wide.

    Reply

  • They just need to make all parks wider then no problem. Parks have become narrower over the years.

    Reply

  • I use these spots. Toddlers walk slow and its safer to park closer to the door if they are walking. Less chance of them running off into the traffic.

    Reply

  • I always wondered about that, thanks for the clarification.

    Reply

  • Wow! Ok I didn’t realise this was not the law!
    I have a 6month old so yes I do use the bays If she is travelling with me & there is no way I would use it otherwise!

    I thought the symbol of a pram indicated pram age children?
    Meaning you have a pram with you.

    As you would need to be closer to the shops as it would be safer transporting the child to & from your car.
    Or am I wrong?!

    Reply

  • I no longer use them as my child is grown up. However, many people do use these without pram-aged children.

    Reply

  • Thanks for the clarification. The spots can be handy in the early stages and are very far and few in between when it comes to availability.

    Reply

  • Thanks for the clarification!

    Reply

  • I think it is acceptable if you have kids with or without prams. It’s difficult wrangling kids in carparks and the extra wide spaces make it a little easier. I’ve also seen elderly people use them too and I’m happy for them to do so! I think if we can all be a little less judgy, kinder and understanding, the world would be a more tolerant place!


    • If you have a small child and a wider park means it’s easier to get them in and out without banging into the car next to you, then why shouldn’t you park there

    Reply

  • I think for mums with newborns, multiples etc. When they use a pram but are OK walking too I think leave it to the other Mums.

    Reply

  • I still use a pram but don’t use the spaces anymore because my bub is bigger and it’s easier now but I think it comes down to courtesy don’t use them if you don’t need to and if you do need to hopefully there are some available.

    Reply

  • I don’t really understand why these are necessary. Most young mums are fit and healthy and very well able to park anywhere. I managed to do this when my sons were very young. There seem to be too many of these pram spaces and not nearly enough disabled parking spaces. I was the primary carer for my Mum (90 years old) for four and a half years, and found it very frustrating that disabled parking spots were taken by drivers who had no right to use them. This seems to be more of a problem than pram parking spaces.

    Reply

  • I got annoyed when my baby was under 6 months and people who used the spots had kids that could run and walk fine.

    Reply

  • It would be courteous to leave the pram parking spaces for people who actually have prams.

    Reply

  • I don’t anymore as my children have gotten older. I have a 3yr old still in a regular car seat and a 6yr old in a booster. I used to park there on occasions when my kids were younger even if I didn’t bring my pram as I was still using a trolley to take the place of a pram. The spaces are for parents with young children.

    Reply

Post a comment
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your comment and join MoM:

You May Like

Loading…

Looks like this may be blocked by your browser or content filtering.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join