Authorities Crackdown on Blue Badges

Authorities are cracking down on motorists who abuse the disabled parking system in England and Scotland. It’s estimated that 2.5 million blue badges are in circulation to allow drivers to avoid congestion and parking charges, as well as park on yellow lines. However, it’s estimated that fraud in the system costs £46 million every year.

The blue badge scheme was introduced in the early 1970s and is used throughout the UK under the management of local authorities, with slight differences across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. How the eligibility of a person for a blue badge is determined will be improved, while new badges will get more security features. It’s hoped that this redesign makes them harder to alter or forge.

Blue badges had previously been made from hand written cards, but disabled drivers will now apply for an electronically printed badge this year. These will be a lot like driving licences and will have a unique hologram, serial number and digital photo so that parking attendants can check for the legitimacy of the badges through the windscreen easier.

Additionally, blue badge holders will be able to apply for renewals online. The changes will see more powers given to local authorities to seize badges they believe are being misused. Councils will also be able to test drivers for eligibility, instead of GPs. Wales is due to introduce the new badges in April, while Northern Ireland will keep the old-style badge for now.

Transport Minister Norman Baker says that it’s disgraceful for motorists to pretend they are disabled to get free parking. This prevents real blue badge holders from using parking bays that are designed for them. It also cheats road users who follow parking regulations. The new badge system “will be as secure as a banknote”. They are also tightening eligibility and enforcement so drivers won’t be able to scam the system.

Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown says the system has been abuse and misused too much. This has caused real day-to-day issues for genuine blue badge users, who need the disabled spaces but often find them taken by vehicles with misused or fake badges. They want to ensure that these important parking spaces are used the way they were intended, which is to help disabled people live full lives and keep their independence.

Disabled Motoring UK director of policy and campaigns, Helen Dolphin says that she’s delighted about the changes, which are making the system fit for the century after years of campaigning for the improvements. Mobility and Access Committee Scotland (MACS) convener, Anne MacLean says blue badges are essential for disabled people, and these reforms help avoid abuse, provide a more consistent and uniform approach and protect the parking rights of genuine holders.