The Scottish Government brought in new legislation on 30th March to protect Blue Badge users across Scotland.
Blue Badge parking spaces and the Blue Badge scheme provide an essential service for disabled people allowing access to parking facilities located for ease of access to places of employment, shops and other community services. This parking access often makes the difference to those with mobility problems, helping them live their lives more fully.
Common Excuses
Unfortunately Blue Badges are often misused by people who don’t need them. The most common excuses given by those misusing the Blue Badge include:
- I have just dropped badge holder off for shopping/doctors/dentist
- I thought I could use the badge as I will be collecting badge holder later
- I am collecting medication for the badge holder
Knock-on Effect
Parking in a designated disabled space illegally, even for a few minutes, has a significant knock-on effect for the legitimate Blue Badge holders who are unable to find a suitable parking space. Normal everyday tasks such as going to the shop, attending a doctor’s appointment or even going to work, things that most of us take for granted, can become impossible due to lack of access.
The new legislation in the Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges (Scotland) Act 2014 grants local authorities the power to cancel badges which have been reported lost or stolen and confiscate badges that are being misused.
Independent Lives
Granting extra powers for local authorities to tackle Blue Badge misuse and confiscate badges that are not valid or are being used illegally means disabled badge holders will get better access to the services in the community that help them lead independent lives.
For more information on Blue Badges and the rules and regulations around their use, please visit www.bluebadgescotland.org
