Many would swap their blue badges (From Worcester News)

I am reliably informed via a friend, that many Blue Badge holders regularly either fail to display their badges at all, display them upside down - hiding the details, or the wrong way round, which is less serious and not a problem. Also many are out of date - which is why they turn them over!

There are simple and easy instructions on displaying them, showing the date, etc. but this is often too much trouble, which is silly, after going to all the bother of obtaining one in the first place.

With all due sympathy to the disabled in our society, it would ease relations with us abled-bodied people, if they could manage this simple task a bit better and take a bit more care over the way they demand and get, privileged parking facilities.

I personally am tired of seeing abled-bodied and fit people flick a badge on the dashboard and then leap out a car to go and buy a paper and cigarettes - especially at Tesco's!

I don't think I am alone in this animosity! It's called "Badge abuse" - using the badge of a disabled person, for personal benefits!

Sorry, Brian, but there's two sides to every question!

The taxis are a totally separate issue - have you ever tried asking a Traffic Warden about them? Not all of them bite (except in London!) and you might get the explanation directly and on the spot.

Sorry Common sense, have you also seen the able-bodied who don't even have access to a Blue badge to display, who will park in the disabled bays at most superstores, but particularly Teso and the Co-Op Ombersley Road to use the Cash-Point. Poor young things!!! AS to the talking to the Traffic Wardens I frequently do in a friendly manner, so I have heard the examples given, but I also hear that there is competition to issue the most tickets, and that they get grief from the taxi drivers if they approach them. But I have counted 20+ taxis around the taxi rank which is licensed for 7 taxis, even queuing in Broad street a pedestrianised area and the loading bay in St Swithun Street which is licensed after 7pm.
So this is a debate I would welcome, and would support those who are abusing the Disabled Blue Badge scheme to be caught.But some understanding on those who make a genuine mistake.

I was only talking about Blue Badge Holders not displaying their Permits correctly - able-bodied drivers abusing the system and parking in Disabled Bays is a totally separate - but very important issue.

They should be clamped.

The only suggestion I can think of, is to have an Attendant at each of the disabled Bays in Supermarkets, to allow or not, drivers to park in these special bays.

Nothing else seems to deter people!


My late Father was a Badge Holder and countless times he was unable to park at Sainsbury's in Shirley, due to non-badge holders occupying the places reserved for the Disabled.