Narrow parking spaces

Why do car parks have such narrow spaces?

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Supervan

Posts: 9
Posted At: 16/09/2008 14:00:15

The average car is wider than its predecessor a few years ago, so why haven't parking spaces moved with the times?! We don't all drive round in original Minis!! The spaces at most supermarket and shopping centre car parks are the parking equivalent of battery-farmed hens - against trade descriptions to call it a parking SPACE!!

I am fed up with getting dings in my car's doors - while some of it is undoubtedly down to inconsiderate drivers, the situation would be better if spaces were just that bit wider. Isn't there an EU rule on the minimum width of a parking space??!!
Yaffle

Posts: 8
Posted At: 16/09/2008 14:24:15

You think you've got problems - try driving a Fiat Multipla which at 6ft 6 wide tests even the most generous parking space.

The answer for you perhaps is children - that way you can use the mother&baby/family spaces at supermarkets. they're close to the doors and provide acres of space either side.
Supervan

Posts: 9
Posted At: 16/09/2008 14:33:00

If we all had kids in order to use the mother & baby spaces, then there wouldn't be many left!

More seriously, they do need to police mother & baby and disabled parking spaces more rigorously - tow offenders away!
Panting Hamster

Posts: 1
Posted At: 16/09/2008 14:54:55

Here's a new way to cope with those annoying small parking spaces...

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1415293/make_your_own_parking_spot/

This guy just rams his car into a parking spot too small for his car. Very funny.
GCheeseman

Posts: 7
Posted At: 15/10/2008 14:26:13

I don't understand it. I have to admit to 'accidentally resting' my door on adjacent cars in the past, simply because i'm struggling to get out of the car.

I did see a thing on the box about how the guidelines or regs for planners and contractors in the area or car park markings are something like 20+ years old.

Therefore even when they build a new car park or re-mark an old one, they are working to minimum width which is way out of date.

Glad i don't have gullwing doors!
ROAD TO HELL

Posts: 9
Posted At: 10/11/2008 17:23:40

I can drive into my garage parking space but then I have to sleep in the car because there is not enough space to open the doors. I am thinking of getting a convertiable so that I can jump out the top.
AA-Team

Posts: 1
Posted At: 12/11/2008 11:38:11

I agree, the parking spaces are tiny these days!
cromag3839

Posts: 6
Posted At: 14/11/2008 16:55:51

Why do people think car parking spaces are too narrow? Because their cars are too wide, too long and too heavy to park easily. Problem = cars, not spaces!
Chopper

Posts: 4
Posted At: 25/11/2008 00:15:49

I think its obvious with anything nowadays, they just want to cram in as many of us they can so they can take as much money from as many of us they can get away with,doesnt matter how much we struggle or suffer.......we are after all just cattle or battery hens????
Meconopsis

Posts: 5
Posted At: 03/01/2009 14:13:17

At my work we are in the happy situation of being able to park 3 cars per bay designed for 4. At supermarkets, park away from the main doors and straddle a line. In a train, find a seat for 3 and sit two people in it. I recently got on a bus from London Zoo to Oxford Street I was UNABLE to sit in the seat as the seat in front was closer than the length of my upper leg - I had to sit squiffy with my legs in the pasageway, to the frustration of other passengers. In a public carpark - if possible, park in the central bay of 3 away from the concrete columns. In a private car park in Arundel, the conditions were such that I parked the car with the raer door open and left/entered by that means - fortunately I knew the adjacent car owners.

BTW, I don't like narrow spaces much.
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