Disabled Drivers Parking Abuse
DPTAC Welcomes New Inspection Powers to Cut Blue Badge AbuseDepartment for Transport Press Release
11 October 2006
The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)
welcomes new powers to tackle abuse of the Blue Badge Scheme
which provides a parking concession for disabled people. Since
it was introduced in 1971 the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme,
known as the Blue Badge Scheme' has made a valuable contribution
to the continued mobility of many disabled people. However, the
Government's review of the scheme identified that there were
concerns with abuse by non-badge holders which potentially could
seriously undermine the scheme. "The effects of the new powers
will be to discourage abuse of the scheme and free up parking
spaces reserved for badge holders, enabling them to park closer
to their destination. This improves the quality of life for those
disabled people who rely on their car for their mobility"