More Blue Badge Bother

Councils across the UK are struggling to tackle Blue Badge abuse as pressure grows on them to crack down once and for all on fraudsters.  From non-disabled drivers parking in accessible bays without a badge to thieves breaking into wheelchair accessible vehicles to steal Blue Badges, disability campaigners have demanded that more should be done to protect the essential services disabled motorists rely on.

Parking Palaver

The call to investigate disabled parking facilities came after the entitlement criteria changed in 2019.  The new rules allow people with hidden disabilities to have access to a Blue Badge and be able to park in accessible spaces.  At the time, existing disabled drivers welcomed the new regulations.  But some expressed concerns over the lack of disabled parking bays available to compensate for the number of new motorists who are now able to access them.  Although the Government created 1,800 more accessible parking spaces when the rules changed, that still amounts to around 38 badge holders for every one accessible parking bay available.  Earlier this year, as lockdown restrictions loosened, many disabled drivers were dismayed to see even fewer offered, and disappointingly, some businesses blocking them off to be used for outdoor seating areas in cities and towns.

Breaking and Entering

It seems that with the rising cost of parking in city centres and new congestion charges in urban areas like Birmingham, fraudsters will take even more drastic measures to cheat the system.  A recent news item reported a spate of 15 incidents in Hertfordshire, where a perpetrator smashed the window of a disability car, only to steal the owner’s Blue Badge displayed in the windscreen.

“I see disabled parking abuse regularly.  There is a real lack of understanding about how essential these bays are to disabled people and I applaud DMUK’s Baywatch Campaign as it plays a vital role in highlighting the issue of disabled parking abuse.” Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson

Misuse Misery

In response to the difficulties disabled drivers are facing, councils are making an effort to crack down on those who misuse the scheme.  Many people have been caught using a friend or relative’s Blue Badge to avoid extra parking charges or to access spaces reserved for mobility vehicles.  During the latest crackdown in August to October last year, councils in London investigated over 1,300 suspected cases of Blue Badge abuse, issuing fines and confiscating badges for those breaking the rules.  Councillor for the Waltham Forest area, Clyde Loakes stressed the impact Blue Badge fraud has on the community.

He said: “Blue Badge fraud deprives residents in genuine need and makes life needlessly difficult for those with valid badges and their families.  It’s sad but true that there are a minority of road users who are so lazy they would happily make other peoples’ lives difficult for the sake of a convenient parking spot.”

Baywatch

Alongside the measures put in place by councils up and down the country, Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK) are once again encouraging members of the public to do their bit in the fight to quash badge abuse.  The Baywatch campaign will be back again in August for its 21^st year.  After particularly disappointing results from the 2020 survey which showed over 95% of participants felt not enough was being done by local authorities, it’s hoped that continued pressure on councils will finally help changes to be made.

Former Paralympian and Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson once again threw her support behind this year’s Baywatch campaign saying:

“I see disabled parking abuse regularly.  There is a real lack of understanding about how essential these bays are to disabled people and I applaud DMUK’s Baywatch Campaign as it plays a vital role in highlighting the issue of disabled parking abuse.”