The traffic sign that surprises drivers and that the Civil Guard warns about: "If you see this sign, don't be confused. This is not a VIP parking lot."

Parking a car can be a real ordeal, especially in Spain's large cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona. This overcrowding of parking spaces causes many to lose patience and make the mistaken decision to leave their vehicle in one of the spaces specifically designated for users with some type of disability, thereby taking that spot away from someone who truly needs it.

Although this traffic violation is punishable by a fine, many drivers still ignore it and continue to park in these disabled parking spaces. Therefore, in some parts of Spain, authorities have opted to accompany the S-17a sign, which indicates the location of special parking spaces, with a forceful message that has left many users completely perplexed.

The message about disabled parking

One of the areas where these regulations are most frequently flouted is shopping centers, where everyone tries to park their cars as close to the door as possible to avoid having to carry their shopping for many meters. In response to this situation, messages have appeared under the signs for disabled parking spaces in the Madrid town of San Sebastián de los Reyes to discourage potential violators.

" If you take my space, you keep the disability, " reads these signs installed in a shopping mall parking lot. With this new measure, local authorities hope that drivers who are not entitled to these spaces will not be tempted to park there unless they have the appropriate parking permit for people with reduced mobility .

These messages have caused quite a stir among users, but others consider them necessary to prevent violations. The Civil Guard itself warns that these parking spaces are not "VIP parking," but rather a necessity for certain individuals. This isn't the first time these signs have appeared in parking lots in Spain, as attempts have already been made to discourage drivers without mobility issues from leaving their cars in these spaces in other parts of Spain .

In addition to the lack of sensitivity it entails, parking in a space reserved for disabled people when one is not entitled to do so is punishable by a fine of 200 euros, as it is considered a serious offense. Therefore, both out of empathy and for one's own pocketbook, it is necessary not to park in these spaces, even if one would have to park in a much more distant location.