Parking Discrimination.

I would appreciate it, if more checks were made of the blue badge spaces. There are few that are near me, but I never get to use any of them. They are constantly abused by healthy people, or even when the driver 'borrows' the card from the person that qualified for it, but is never in the car. The same goes in supermarket car parks. Spaces are often taken by healthy people, perhaps after playing rugby, football etc. If a disabled person points out that they are needing that space, they are offered a 'good kicking' as a response! In Auchterarder, the traffic attendants only check the parking about once a month. One sleeps in their transport while the other window shops. that's their 40% pay rise justified right there!

Lowered kerbs are another problem, they are there for wheelchairs, prams, mobility buggies, zimmer frames, blind people etc to make it safely off the pavement, without bumping down into the gutter. Invariably, somebody always parks across them, so nobody can use them. What exactly do they think they are used for? This happens even after yellow lines are painted across the spot.

Suggestion

Police set an example by not parking in blue badge spaces.

Posted by anonymous over 2 years ago
1060 Views

Police Response: Re: Parking Discrimination.

Thank you for your message. Firstly I'm sorry to hear of your frustration. Disabled parking bays are extremely important and are vital as they allow disabled people to continue their day to day activities which are sometimes taken for granted by motorists who are not disabled. Disabled people are often restricted with severe mobility problems and the designated parking bays which are few and far between go a little way to allowing a degree of normal activity. Disabled parking bays are often situated within town centres and next to supermarkets allowing the best possible access to the required facilities. The few motorists who continue to park in disabled parking bays when not entitled are inconsiderate and should think about how they are affecting those who really do need the spaces.
Disabled parking spaces are split into two categories- Enforceable and Advisory. The parking spaces which are Enforceable allow parking attendants to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to those who park in bays without a disabled parking badge. Advisory parking bays are often situated on private land and of which there is no enforcement for example supermarkets or parking bays outside a disabled persons house. Sadly legislation needs to change in order to address this issue and I believe the Scottish Government are looking into it.
I'm sorry to hear about some motorists abusive behaviour towards others when asked to leave disabled parking bays. I would request that incidents of this nature be reported to Police at the time so that they can be dealt with swiftly.
Most parking offences such as parking on double yellow lines and parking within disabled parking bays without a badge are dealt with by the local authorities. For your information over the next few weeks Tayside Police in conjunction with local Traffic Wardens will be in the area to try and help reduce the decribed offences including issues of parking in front of dropped kurbs. Police have some powers to remove vehicles which are causing an obstruction or are deamed to be in a dangerous position.
The public can phone Perth and Kinross Parking Services direct on 01738 625411 to inform them of parking issues. Please also feel free to contact Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222 if there are any streets which have problems.
Regards
Constable Jason Salisbury Pc 2654
Auchterarder

Posted by Jason Salisbury over 2 years ago