In the US, or at least in NY, a parent with three children under the age of 4 can get a handicapped tag. This is just one step back for all women have fought for. (I know some dads can use the spot too, but we know it is mostly the moms.) Why ask for special treatment in this area, but expect equality in others. Safety? I don't know. In most lots you still have to cross the major line of cars driving across the front of the store. Yesterday 2 blocks from my home an 8 month old was very tragically killed while being pushed in his stroller by his gran. A large SUV backed over the stroller while they were going down the street. The gran was on the sidewalk, certainly much safer than a parking lot, but still this happened.
I love kids, and have great respect for mothers ( I would love to be one), but this is too much. So far here they don't fine for parking in them, but they do have them. I have a friend (Stay at home mom) who insists she has the right to park in a spot labeled "Team member of the month parking" She has no respect for those who must work, but pitches a fit when people with no kids go in those Mom spots. I tell her to shop during the day when the rest of the world is at work. She can have any spot she wants then. We call them "Stork Parking" spots.
I get killed on taxes for being single and child-free, left out of some social activities b/c I will throw off seating, asked if I and am gay, and have survived one too many sad Oh you're not married, poor thing conversations to willingly give up a valuable parking spot w/o a fight.