Sir, - I am the mother of a severely handicapped girl. It is very difficult to go shopping with her as she frightens very easily. I recently went to a lot of trouble to get a disabled passenger permit, which enables me to use the disabled parking spaces as they are usually in convenient places closer to store entrances. But I can hardly ever avail of these spaces because non-entitled drivers use them. I hate to admit it, but women are the worst culprits, in particular those with children.
I have had arguments with drivers when they do this and the excuse I constantly hear is: "I'm not going to be long.'. It doesn't matter - if a disabled person comes along 30 seconds later, how is he or she supposed to know the person isn't going to be long?
Please, drivers, show some more consideration. Life is difficult enough and there are so few "disabled" spaces. Please, leave them for those who genuinely need them and have permits for them. - Yours, etc.,
Martina O'Kelly,
Sarto Park,
Naas,
Co Kildare.