Rant alert - - disabled parking badges

[Wolfracer]

I was in the passenger seat of my dad's car (disabled) whilst he was using a cash machine at a local supermarket. A woman in a wheel chair rode by and stared at me, like I was a piece of excrement on the bottom of her shoe... I nearly got out and gave her both barrels, but something stopped me. Looking back I should have.
Predjudice can come from both directions....
And yes, I agree the social outlook of disabled people really does need changing...

As for the fake Badge holders....Chop off their hands, thieving barstewards...














Oh, hang on, then they'd be entitled to a badge. Doh!

[slobodan]

I nearly got out and gave her both barrels, but something stopped me. Looking back I should have.
!

You shouldn't be carrying in your dad's car!!!

[BUSHWHACKER]

Disabled parking spaces?
I thought they were starting grids for space hopper racing.

[Apache]

I think someone had the idea "how do you police it?".

People should just feel disgraceful enough when the thought comes to mind that they should not abuse it. Why would anyone want to pose as a handicapped person?

Some people have absolutely no shame mate, no moral compass. That's why.

[Chillitt]

Some people have absolutely no shame mate, no moral compass. That's why.

Not more News of the World posts...

[Bogus]

I think someone had the idea "how do you police it?".

People should just feel disgraceful enough when the thought comes to mind that they should not abuse it. Why would anyone want to pose as a handicapped person?

Some people have absolutely no shame mate, no moral compass. That's why.

Maybe there are not so many people posing as handicapped as you think. Maybe there aren,t any at all.
Maybe its all the self appointed medical experts who express their disgust at people who they have decided are not worthy of a blue badge that have no shame

Just saying, thats all, Something to think about

[davidy2980]

my wife is disabled and can only walk very short distances,she has a blue badge and the laws are very strict on the fact that only she can use it so for example if i went to the chemist in her car to pick up her medication i cannot use the badge unless she is with me,if i parked outside a shop and my wife went in then i cannot be in the car i can stand next to it but not in it.so if you see an able bodied person using a badge that probably belongs to their mum etc then they are breaking the law and could lose the badge and the motability car and get upto a £2000 fine, but not many people know that until they get caught

[MWS]

Whilst I have a great deal of sympathy for anyone who needs a blue badge, for whatever reason, and utter contempt for those who abuse disabled parking bays, I would like to add a another aspect to this debate. I personally, get a bit irritated by illegal, or inconsiderate parking. Some of the worst examples seem to be by those blue badge holders who show no consideration for others. They park in a place, and in a manner that is convenient to them, despite the fact, that in doing so, it inconveniences many, many others. I have seen examples of cars left. -Blocking peoples driveways - Overlaping junctions - On the corners of junctions -Several feet out from the kerb, on dangerous blind bends, again, several feet out from the kerb -Parked completely blocking footpaths - In bus stops - On zig zags leading up to pedestrian crossings - And the worst ever....On a Zebra crossing, actually on the black and white stripes! ........Maybe we should all try to be a bit less selfish, and show a bit more consideration towards others....Cheers....Mick.

[flounderbout]

Whilst I have a great deal of sympathy for anyone who needs a blue badge, for whatever reason, and utter contempt for those who abuse disabled parking bays, I would like to add a another aspect to this debate. I personally, get a bit irritated by illegal, or inconsiderate parking. Some of the worst examples seem to be by those blue badge holders who show no consideration for others. They park in a place, and in a manner that is convenient to them, despite the fact, that in doing so, it inconveniences many, many others. I have seen examples of cars left. -Blocking peoples driveways - Overlaping junctions - On the corners of junctions -Several feet out from the kerb, on dangerous blind bends, again, several feet out from the kerb -Parked completely blocking footpaths - In bus stops - On zig zags leading up to pedestrian crossings - And the worst ever....On a Zebra crossing, actually on the black and white stripes! ........Maybe we should all try to be a bit less selfish, and show a bit more consideration towards others....Cheers....Mick.

Yep - sounds like my wife...

[POPEYE]

There is a Range Rover Sprout that parks in Warwick most days with a blue badge up, It does look a little incongruous, but why shouldn't a disabled driver have a 'nice' car? As for the able bodied parkers, maybe they have parked up to pick up a disabled relative that the pass was issued for.

Exactly! i get some odd looks parking with a blue badge up, the badge is my wifes and she is 100% genuine, even overheard some bloke say to his missis " fancy haveing a car like that when you disabled" well untill the government take away our freedom of choice completly we'll have whatever sodding car we want, no ones said yet to my face why do you have a 4x4 with a disabled badge? if they ever do they'll get a mouthfull (and if they keep on a fistfull),

that said there is large scale misuse of the blue badge system, very often i cant park in the disabled bays due to people who are (or look) quite able to walk without difficulty or those who just park there without a badge as they cant be effing bothered to walk the extra few yards from the regular car park,

it's not a big problem but the regular bays aint big enough to be able to unload the missis and the mobility scooter with ease, distance from the shop door isn't the problem, it space around the truck in a smaller bay thats the problem,

[POPEYE]

Whilst I have a great deal of sympathy for anyone who needs a blue badge, for whatever reason, and utter contempt for those who abuse disabled parking bays, I would like to add a another aspect to this debate. I personally, get a bit irritated by illegal, or inconsiderate parking. Some of the worst examples seem to be by those blue badge holders who show no consideration for others. They park in a place, and in a manner that is convenient to them, despite the fact, that in doing so, it inconveniences many, many others. I have seen examples of cars left. -Blocking peoples driveways - Overlaping junctions - On the corners of junctions -Several feet out from the kerb, on dangerous blind bends, again, several feet out from the kerb -Parked completely blocking footpaths - In bus stops - On zig zags leading up to pedestrian crossings - And the worst ever....On a Zebra crossing, actually on the black and white stripes! ........Maybe we should all try to be a bit less selfish, and show a bit more consideration towards others....Cheers....Mick.

my missis would have been guilty of that if i hadn't set her straight, when she first got the badge she had the idea we could park just anywhere we liked! a blue badge ISN'T a permit to park anywhere, you still have to concider other road users, short term stopping on yellow lines is allowed for dropping off or picking up, but you cant park there all day! you cannot park if your causing an obstruction or forceing pedristrians to walk in the road,
all the badge does (or is supposed to do) is give the disabled priorty parking as near to a car park exit/entrance or shops access as posible, other than that the blue badge holder is governed by the same driveing/parking restrictions as everyone else

[Rustinho]

it's not a big problem but the regular bays aint big enough to be able to unload the missis and the mobility scooter with ease, distance from the shop door isn't the problem, it space around the truck in a smaller bay thats the problem,

It's exactly the same thing with my dad & his mobility scooter - whether we're in the Surf or in his Toyota Lucida (which incidentally is great for disabled access - you can even get factory fitted disabled lifts if you're lucky enough to find one with them - might be worth a lookout for you if you fancy sticking one in the Surf for your missus, Popeye?)

[POPEYE]

It's exactly the same thing with my dad & his mobility scooter - whether we're in the Surf or in his Toyota Lucida (which incidentally is great for disabled access - you can even get factory fitted disabled lifts if you're lucky enough to find one with them - might be worth a lookout for you if you fancy sticking one in the Surf for your missus, Popeye?)

Gonna be starting the powered "step" soon mate but yes a ready made one would be great, all depends on cost, i already bought the small winch thats going to lift the step and have the air ram to extend it plus all air already fitted to the truck, only other large expence is some heavy duty runners (like drawer runners) which are around £90 a a pair, then it's odd metal prob from the scrapyard to make it with, s/s idealy but mild steel at a push,

also finished the working "crane" for the scooter

[MWS]

Here's a handfull of parking restriction signs that some may find either useful, or offensive. I invite major retail outlets to at least, consider them.....Cheers....Mick.

[Surf01]

I have had a BB for the past 5 years and I am also entitled to a motability vehicle however I prefer the Surf as it easier to get in and out of than many motability vehicles. Plus every 3 years you have to come up with a decent size advance payment to get a suitable motability vehicle.
Regarding disabled parking spaces at supermarkets, it must be remembered that there are now more people over 60 years of age than ever before and many suffer from some form of disability. Quite often we find at our local Morrisons we cannot park in a disabled bay because they are all full. I then look for a bay where I can get out and swing the door widely open without damaging another car.