Top Gear in trouble: again

[Mothers Worry]

Now Top Gear angers disabled drivers

From thewest.com.au via Yahoo!7 News:

Now Top Gear angers disabled drivers

August 3, 2011

Top Gear bad boy Jeremy Clarkson is again in hot water after being filmed parking in a disabled bay for the latest episode of the hit British television show.

During a road test of electric cars shown in Sunday's London screening of Top Gear, Clarkson and co-host James May are seen leaving their vehicles in spaces clearly marked with a wheelchair symbol.

“People patently not disabled, like Clarkson and May, obviously didn't have a passing care that a disabled person might have needed those spaces,” Disabled Motoring UK's Jim Rawlings told Britain's Daily Star newspaper.

The BBC insists that Clarkson and May were granted permission by the owners of the business attached to the car park, adding: “had a disabled motorist arrived we would have made way for them immediately”.

The latest complaint involving Clarkson comes just days after the 51-year-old was cleared of mocking and ridiculing Jesus Christ in a Christmas special episode of Top Gear.

Tempers flared after Clarkson was seen attempting and failing to walk on water and alleging he is able to cure the sick.

BBC watchdogs cleared Clarkson of any wrongdoing.

They also caused an uproar when they stereotyped Mexicans and ridiculed Germans.

The show's executive producer Andy Wilman told The Guardian newspaper both presenters were concerned about using the disabled bays and only relented when told the owner of the car park had approved their use.

"Both presenters expressed deep concern to the film crew and I about using the disabled bays prior to filming, because of the disrespectful impression it would convey," Mr Wilman told the paper.

"They only capitulated when we assured them the parking had been approved by the owner, and that the disabled bay markings would not appear on television.
"This was our fault, not theirs, and we unreservedly apologise to all the viewers we have upset as a consequence."

[bpratt]

Anyone who parks in a disabled spot without a valid permit and whilst the permit holder is in the car should be shot on sight !

Just because someone gave them permission, i.e. the owners of the car park area, doesn't make it any less of an issue. ... there was still clear markings of it being strictly for permit holders only.


Most of the time I'll side with the Top Gear guys because the complaints are purely Political Correctness gone mad, but this isn't the case this time.

[Jiji_the_cat]

maybe its not the case. but they had a prior arrangement which is fine by me.

[bradk12fan]

Most of the time I'll side with the Top Gear guys because the complaints are purely Political Correctness gone mad, but this isn't the case this time.

Here in the US it's called handicapped parking, not disabled bays, but both my mom and my sister have handicapped parking plackets. My mom has a heart condition, and my sister has had he left knee, ankle, and foot reconstructed. Both are in constant pain, and can't walk long distances. It pisses me off when I see people park where they shouldn't. The UK Top Gear guys better have a good explanation for this.

[Mothers Worry]

My mom has a heart condition, and my sister has had he left knee, ankle, and foot reconstructed. Both are in constant pain, and can't walk long distances.

Sorry to hear that.....

[Bumble1290]

Anyone who parks in a disabled spot without a valid permit and whilst the permit holder is in the car should be shot on sight !

Just because someone gave them permission, i.e. the owners of the car park area, doesn't make it any less of an issue. ... there was still clear markings of it being strictly for permit holders only.


Most of the time I'll side with the Top Gear guys because the complaints are purely Political Correctness gone mad, but this isn't the case this time.

Mountain out of a mole hill here, no one got hurt, no one was lost at sea, they had permission from the owner of the car park and if someone arrived and needed the space, they would have been given it straight away, can't see what all the fuss is about myself.