General Chat

I agree, parking in disabled bays when fit is a selfish thing to do,and I also try and park away from others cars if possible, mostly because of trolleys 'running away' and causing damage to parked vehicles.
But re. supermarket car-parks.... I was given to understand that their fines are not lawful and can be contested.

Blue badges are also issued to parents of very young children who are disabled, and imo this is a good thing for their families,who need as much help as they can get.

Mau

I think that supermarket and other private car parks can actually collect fines, for whatever, overstaying a 2/3 hour limit for example, but there has to be a sign large enough and legible enough for you to see when you park. Our Tesco has such signs for (I think) 3 hour parking only but I am not sure if there is anything about diabled parking/Mother and child. The mother and child is nearer to the store entrance than disabed, mainly I think so that Mums with small children can get them under cover quickly, I too would rather they had dedicated parking than rammed their door into my car when getting littly out of the car seat.

My sister has a blue badge, to look at her she looks as fit as I am, and some days she is, but other days she will struggle to walk. You just can't tell. And I will have to go back and check, but on the gove site link early on in this thread I am sure Is aw that the diabled person does not have to get out of the car, If I read that correctly it is a very strange rule.

edit: I can't find that link now, has it been deleted?

Here are some quick rules for people that use a Blue Badge:

•It is your responsiblity as badge holder to make sure that it is used properly.
•Do NOT allow other people to use it.
•Make sure that the details on the front of the badge stay legible. If they become unreadable then the badge must be returned to the address it was issued from so that it can be re-issued.
•Do NOT use the badge to allow non-disabled people to take advantage of the benefits whilst you sit in the car.
The government has recently announced some changes to the ‘Blue Badge’ scheme. These really should not affect those who are using their badges correctly, as they are designed to enforce the correct use only. There are two main changes that members should be aware of:

1.It will become a criminal offence in future to abuse your badge. i.e., it won’t be a small statuary fine, it will mean that the badge, in a worse case scenario, will be permanently confiscated and the fine could be as much as £1000. An example is somebody using your badge when you are not even in the vehicle, for instance, your son/daughter using your badge for his/her convenience. Remember that the badge has been issued to the named person and nobody else. If, as in the above example, you only travel in that vehicle occasionally, then the badge should be kept by you, not left in the vehicle. If left there it could be a temptation that could result in you losing, permanently, your badge.
2.Any person responsible for policing a car park will be able to ask to examine your badge, not just a serving police officer. It is therefore going to be much simpler for offences to be detected.


As an organisation we believe that these changes are long overdue. They may result in a little inconvenience for our members, but should make it a lot less worth it for cheats to use spaces set aside for those that actually need them.



The changes are set out in a Department of Transport leaflet which can be obtained by telephone 020 7944 2914 or by e-mail [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if residing in England. Wales 029 2082 6501 [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Scotland 0131 244 0869/0861. Belfast 02890 540434.


Blue Badge Rules - The Disabled Motorists Federation
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www.dmfed.org.uk/blue-badge-rules - Cached


DirectGov - Blue Badge Rules and Applications

Home > Cars & Car Travel > Disabled Parking: Your RightsDisabled Parking: Your Rights
Author: Jennie Kermode - Updated: 27 July 2011 | Comment
Figuring out what you are and are not allowed to do with your car when you're disabled can be complicated. Many people don't realise that they don't actually need to own or drive a car in order to be covered under disability parking schemes. It's possible to get help even if you don't receive disability benefits, and you can even get special arrangements made to help you park close to your own home.


The Blue Badge Scheme
Most parts of Britain are covered by the Blue Badge scheme. This differs slightly in England, Scotland and Wales, but the basic principle is the same. You can apply for a blue badge from your local council - just call their general enquiries number or visit their website. Your blue badge will give you special parking privileges to make it easier for you to stop your car close to where you need to be.

If you are registered blind, are receiving the high rate of Disability Living Allowance for mobility or are receiving a War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement, you can get a blue badge automatically. If you are not in this situation but you do have a disability that makes it difficult to get around (including difficulty in carrying things or the need to keep heavy medical equipment close to you), you can apply for a badge on a discretionary basis. You can use your badge in any car.

You don't need to be the driver of a car to use your blue badge, as long as you are travelling in it. It must be clearly on display at all times when you are parked. If you ride a motorbike you can get a special secure permit holder to keep it safe.

Related on Disabled Travel Advice...
Disabled Visitors to Theme Parks
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Driving Issues for People With Pain and Fatigue
Learning to Drive When Disabled

Local Badge Schemes
Some major cities have their own badge schemes to prevent congestion. These badges make special parking provisions available to local residents only. If you have a blue badge, however, you can still park in the specially designated blue badge parking spaces in these cities.

In Northern Ireland, a blue badge will give you access to some areas but you will need a white badge for others. This single scheme applies across the whole of the country.


Where You Can Park
A blue badge will let you park in registered blue badge parking spaces. You can park anywhere that there is an on-street parking meter or a pay and display machine without having to pay, for as long as you want. You can park on single or double yellow lines as long as there are no signs prohibiting loading and unloading, but in England and Wales you are only allowed to do this for up to three hours at a time.

Some private car parks operate special rules for blue badge holders; for instance, supermarkets may have reserved parking spaces close to their entrances. Sometimes private car parks offer free parking to badge holders where they charge other users, but you will have to check the rules on entering them. Disabled drivers have no automatic right to use private car parks for free.

Blue badge access does not apply at most airports but some have their own special facilities for disabled travellers arriving by car. Your travel agent will be able to help you clarify this in each case.


Parking Near Home
If your disability means that you need to park close to your home, your local council can help. If you live in an area where everybody parks on the street, you can arrange to have a special disabled parking space created for your car or for a car driven by somebody living at your address who helps you get around.

If you have private parking at your home but can't always access it because of how other people park, you can ask the council to mark the street as an access route. If your disability means you can no longer use the parking facilities on your property, you can apply for a reserved on street parking space.

Found the link I was looking at and I was right I did see that.

Misusing Blue Badges




Report misuse of a Blue Badge

If you think someone is misusing a Blue Badge, you can report it to your local authority
Find your local authority Opens new window

Blue Badges are the property of local councils, who can take them away if they are misused.

The Blue Badge is for your use only, and it is an offence to allow other people to use it. It is also an offence to park in an on-street Blue Badge parking bay without displaying a badge.

If you think that a Blue Badge is being misused you should:
•get as many details as possible from the badge on display
•report the matter to your local authority

The maximum fine for someone convicted is £1,000 plus any additional penalty for the related parking offence.

It is not illegal to remain in the vehicle with the badge displayed if you are a Blue Badge holder or waiting for the Blue Badge holder to return. However, you should consider using a car park whenever possible.

The Blue Badge Scheme does not apply to off-street car parks, for example supermarket car parks. However, off-street car parks may provide bays for Blue Badge holders. Please check any signs or notices before parking.

If you think people are unfairly parking in bays reserved for disabled people, contact the management of the store or car park.

Aaaah speaking with your MP :-P

When the RADAR keys were introduced I wrote to my MP complaining that able bodied can pee for free whereas less able people had to pay for their RADAR key in order to access a public (and more so recently) disabled loos in pubs/shops.

He agreed and passed my complaint onto the Minister for the Disabled.

I had a 2 x A4 reply basically saying tough luck.

I pointed out that anyone in receipt of middle or higher mobility or care could easily be issued with a free key. That was ignored!

Peed me off no end (sorry for the pun)

Sue

The dis abled parking areas are clearly marked in most places, if you get done for parking where you should,nt Tough.you should be able to read. by the way, I you are going to have your badge renewed, be prepered for at least a 2month wait,thats how long it took ,they want to know all details of heath and other things again,and(so they say)do not consult Doctors or Hospitals,its now run by a private company (Quango)and they want more information than ever,so be prepared. :-S :-S

also Blue Badge holders cannot park on double yellow lines if there is also a yellow flash on the kerb itself

There are two types ,single and double, sometimes (You have to enquire) the Local Council let you ignore them. but it is at their discression.