Blue Badges

[joeluke]

I sympathise with people who have a disability but why are Blue Badge holders given free parking?

They are permitted to park on single and double yellow lines, plus for free at on-street parking meters and pay-and-display machines

Having a disability ain't a sign of being poor is it?

they should have to pay like the rest of us do

[237SJ]

Didn`t think they were allowed to park on double yellows

[joeluke]

http://www.direct.gov...dtransport/dg_4001061

[stumpy69er]

I'm a blue badge holder. It is right you can park on double yellows, and the majority of meters / carparks etc. I agree that we shouldn't have free parking. Also, I don't think it's fair that disabled people get half price train / bus tickets, and often free entry to cinemas / theme parks etc.

[cazzz1975]

with regard to the theme parks most disabled people would not be able to go on the majority of the rides hence the discount.

[237SJ]

Thanks, Didn`t know about the double yellows. My Mum has a blue badge and I drive her around quite a lot. I`ll remember that when I want to stop and hold up all the traffic! Round here blue badge holders only get free parking in council car parks and as we mainly use private ones when shopping, we pay the same as everyone else

[joeluke]

So is there a black market for these Blue Badges?

Cos plenty of people I see getting out of cars who have one look pretty able bodied to me

[hc4361]

That is why blue badge holders get free parking in many council car parks. If they had to pay they would park on double yellow lines for 3 hours causing all sorts of traffic problems and making life difficult for those so severely disabled they really do need to park outside the premises they are visiting.
In many private car parks they do have to pay.
Able bodied people have the options of taking public transport or walking - if they can't afford a car that's tough. Some disabled people would be prisoners in their own homes if they could not run a car, so there is no choice. It is no fun being man handled by taxi drivers.

[237SJ]

Joeluke - apparently they change hands for £500 on the black market. Pisses me off at the supermarket when people park in the blue badge spots because they`re too lazy to park further away and walk

[hc4361]

joeluke, you cannot see by looking if a person has a severe condition that makes walking and / or carrying very difficult. You can't see angina, emphysema, MS, or any of the many other conditions that can fluctuate and become very problematic very quickly.
On the other hand, having one leg need not be a disabliity, as people like Heather Mills have shown.
Blind people are also entitled to a blue badge, as are disabled children.

[hc4361]

237SJ, why does it Fosters you off? Are you too lazy to walk?

[joeluke]

Blind people are entitled to a Blue Badge?

[ummmm]

So someone else can drive them.

[paddywak]

when you get your blue badge you get a book containing guide lines, most of which are common sense ie you can't park in loading areas, blocking an access road etc and while ypu can normally park on double yellows for up to 3 hours you can also be fined if a warden or policeman deems you are causing a obstruction, I know this from personal experience it cost me £30 to learn

[hc4361]

Yes, a blue badge is for a disabled or blind person, not necessarily the car driver.
It can be used in any vehicle the disabled person travels in, including taxis.

[Buenchico]

Free parking for blue badge holders does have some sound reasoning behind it.

If I drive to Stowmarket, I have the choice between using free street parking, with a 5 minute walk into the town centre, or paying a minimum £1 parking fee to park closer to the shops. A person with limited mobility doesn't have that choice. He has to park close to the shops so (unless he's given a concession) his disability is effectively forcing him to pay for parking when (because of my greater mobility) I don't have to.

[237SJ]

hc4361 sorry I don`t understand your question?

[paddywak]

re the blind people getting blue cards, the cards apply to the person, you dont need a driving licence even,a disabled person can get one and let his son for instance use it, but it is only valid while the card holder is in the car, this is one reason why you see so many able body people using them often it's in some relations name

[Jan1957]

You get free parking because you have no choice but to use a car. Well I don't anyway. My disability means I am unable to use a bus or a train so have to be driven, and that means parking near to where I want to go.

[joeluke]

Okay, I tend to agree that blind people should have a badge

But surely not people with 'conditions' as opposed to 'disabilities'

It's a racket

It's just like anything else in this country, if you belong to a minority group you get treated with kid gloves

[joeluke]

jan1957......if you went by train/car you would have to pay anyway so why not have to pay parking charges like everyone else?