Parking in front of Winn Dixie
 

Went to Winn Dixie Sumter Landing about 5 pm today and couldnt believe all the cars parked in front of the store.Must have been 10 cars parked right in front by the sidewalk. Had to walk around them to get to the store. Would think this is a fire lane and parking shouldnt be allowed. People are really becoming inconsiderate and selfish.

Take pics of the vehicles which show their license plates with your phone. Then let the police department know, post them here, send them to the on-line paper and the like.

Were the cars there "parked" as in turned off with no driver (waiting for their partner to come out)?

At first glance I thought you meant the cars were lined up with drivers in them waiting to pull up when their partner comes out with the goods. I thought that might be the case, because it's sort of cold outside (not an excuse, but a reason).

If they're parked and not running/driverless, that's really "selfish".

I wondered the same thing.

I'd guess it went like this.

Vehicle stops across the WD front door..

Husband says "You gonna be long?"
Wife "No only a few things".
Him "Ok I'll just stay here so you won't have to walk back and forth on your bad knee.
Her "oh honey - you're the best"
Him "I know, and remember to get softer melons-they may have them in the back. And only 1 1/2 lbs of hamburger"
Her "Alrighty then, see you in a few"
Him "Kiss Kiss".

OK >>> repeat 9 times with different cars. But strike the KissKiss part; we know that never happens.

oh no! tell me it isn't so! is chivalry truly dead? :laugh:

These are the priviledged they can park and wait for the wife/husband to go in and shop. Its done in cars and golf carts. Picking someone up is one thing but just sitting there is rude and implies a don't give a damn attitude.
What gives them the right? What if everyone did this?

When I drop my wife off, I let her off, and tell her to call when she is on her way out. Then I go to an unoccupied area of the parking lot and wait. When she calls I come pick her up, with very little time in front of the store.

Jeez, I always park far away from door........gives me a bit of extra exercise, especially if I have ice cream in my bag! People are lazy, plain and simple. A little walk in the cold never hurt anyone.

still not an ok thing to do. what if everyone does this??? a small walk to the car is good exercise for most folks. if unable to take short walks then get a handicap tag!

Selfish, inconsiderate behavior is running rampant everywhere. It's really a shame.

I see this all the time with someone sitting in the car reading a paper or taking a nap while they wait! Like many said, what if everyone did this???

1) you wouldn't have to hunt for a legitimate parking spot
2) there would be no need for handicapped spaces
3) pray there is no fire or medical emergency
4) insurance claims would go up from dents from shopping carts
5) broken bones would increase due to tripping over cars
6) Carbon monoxide levels near the doors would be toxic
7) "Rude" behavior would increase-----oops, I forgot that parking there was rude in the first place!

Similar to what I do. I try to find a space where I can see the exit door and watch for her to come out. Then she meets me at the end of an aisle and gets into the car. We don't do this if she is getting more than a bag of groceries. It makes getting into the car take too long. I agree it is better than parking/standing in the fire lane in front of the store.

:agree:

LOL everyone keeps saying the people in the cars just don't care about others. Welcome to snowbird and renters time of year.
Thanks for the laugh.

If only it were just "snowbirds and renters"........

Then we'd have 9 months of Utopia?????

There is a difference between parking and standing.

Yes, but "standing" for 45 minutes is essentially parking, especially if the driver has no intention of moving for anything but an ambulance or fire truck.

You are a considerate driver. It amazes me how many people park in front of stores and go in.

this happens all the year around. Please don't blame the snowbirds again! :pepper2:

You are correct inconsiderate people are everywhere

No one said anything about 45 minutes but if they did you might be right. However, I don't think there is a time limit on standing.

I don't know if there is a time limit either. But I suspect if a LEO saw this he would ask the driver to move on

Maybe, but if the driver of the car is sitting in it with the engine running I don't think he has to move.

Just curious. Who has enforcement authority for these types of issues, handicap parking, parking in fire lanes..

After reading a little I think that you are allowed to pick up and drop off passengers but you are not allowed to wait while they shop for any amount of time.

Taking pictures while the driver is aware might be a deterrent or it may instigate a fight.

I was guilty of this on an occasion where it was pouring rain and my husband ran in to get one item so I remained in the car, engine running.There was a police office who came and asked me to move because it was considered a fire lane. I don't know about the WD store but will notice next time I am there.

Florida Statute 316.003 part 27:

(27) PARK OR PARKING.—The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading merchandise or passengers as may be permitted by law under this chapter.

Yeah, I know. Hence my previous post but thanks anyway.

A law is a law. I would say everyone needs to park in a space and walk in. Maybe instead if the husband or wife waiting in the car, go in together. Could be a simple fix.

thanks

////

The people illegally parked decided, for whatever reason to illegally park.
You get to decide if it bothers you or not.

If I have a family member or a friend laying on the floor in WD and the ambulance EMT's are hindered in getting into the store, your damn right I am bothered.

I am always annoyed by people who choose to do whatever they wish, whether right or wrong, and regardless of how it effects the rest of us, and feel that they somehow have a right to do that because it's a "free country." The biggest annoyance is that those people really don't care what we think. It's not snowbirds. It's a minority of the population in general. Does it somehow have to do with our age? Do we think we've achieved an age of privilege? Do we really believe that everything is OK as long as we get away with it? Why are they indignant when we confront them with their bad behavior?

Everyone parking in a space makes perfect sense.
Those with mobility issues obtain handicap ID.
Simple fix - thank you Jimjane.

Those with mobility issues should obtain a handicap ID? That will not solve the problem as many "with" a handicap ID "can't" find a handicap space to park in. Look around, they are always full.

This is a News Flash : Sumter Landing has a very large Snowbird/Rental Community...so here 's the deal. They are in a hurry get out of my way on a mission etc.etc.

Wait until they leave meanwhile drive a bit and shop @ Winn Dixie at Pinellas or go to Publix 44A Traverse Plaza nr. Brownwood and save yourselves a load of aggravation. Also it's worse at Publix @Colony look on the bright side.

I disagree with you. Winn Dixie @Sumter Landing is relatively quiet in non snowbird/rental times. Sumter Landing is a very large Snowbird/Rental Community..one of the 3-4 reasons why we did not consider living there.

That sucks when it happens, but it still does not give anyone the right to park in a fire zone. If all the "regular" spots are taken, can I park in a handicapped spot, or a fire zone? Obviously not. I understand the frustration, especially when handicapped spots are taken by other than handicapped drivers, but a handicap permit gives you one and only one additional right---to park in the designated spot. It does not give anyone the right to park in a no parking zone or violate any other traffic laws. You are only entitled to park closer to the extent that space is available, so the legal choices are:
a) if a non-handicapped driver is along with you, get dropped off and they park elsewhere
b) wait for a handicap spot to open up
c) park in the closest non-handicapped space
d) come back later
e) go elsewhere

Parking in a no parking zone is NOT an option you are "entitled" to.

Now, in all fairness, could an adult community like TV use more handicapped spaces. Probably, the law only specifies the minimal number required, not a maximum. Could people who are not handicapped be more courteous and avoid parking in a spot they are not allowed to use---of course. Could there be better enforcement of the handicapped parking law---yes, but at a cost.

My solution to enforcement might ruffle some feathers, but would be "relatively" inexpensive. In addition to issuing a handicapped placard for the vehicles, the INDIVIDUAL also gets a wallet size photo ID. Both are bar coded so a LEO can scan it. In that way, if a LEO spots someone parking that does no "appear" handicapped (and that can be deceiving), they simply scan the placard and see if the photo matches the person they saw park there, or asks to see the photo ID. If not, that person comes back to a ticket with a HUGE fine. It can be rescinded if it was a mistake upon proof that the person actually has the individual card that matches. This would stop all those who uses Mommy's placard illegally, as well as any stolen ones. I would not advise any private citizen to challenge the driver or ask to see the ID, unless they like the sensation of a 4 pronged cane up their rear end. Thoughts?