Blue badge fraud doubles over 3 years

[simondjuk]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27446243

Im surprised its this low.  The amount of people I see in Sheffield that put the blue badge out and then walk off with no difficulties is a regular occurence

Looking at the picture shown in the link above, there are obvious things in there that can be easily changed to make the fraud harder to commit, however I havent studied the badges over each area but id assume they are similar to standardise it as much as possible.

Two things id change straight away:
1:  The Serial number - keep the number but also have it barcoded/QR coded which is then linked to a national database
2:  No photo - have a passport sized photo on each badge.

Even these 2 simple changes make it easier to see who is using it and who should be using it.

[Old Cruser]

They have only just done away with the photo Simon.
Blue Badges have been made tougher to obtain in recent years and now have to be paid for which I agree with.

There will always be mis-use of them although your idea of scanning a bar code is a good idea but may prove to costly.

Obviously I also get cross if I think someone is using another persons, it's just selfish.

it's not only relatives and friends though - the B.B is open to mis-use by people who work in places with disabled people and have a multi use badge.
I myself used to have one for children.

I have never used a B.B for my own benefit as I understand how important the spaces are for the  genuine people.

See what you have done now Simon - put me on my soap box 

Better get off it sharpish eh 

[Slacker]

On the Parking Wars programme recently, people thought (or pretended to think) that they were entitled to use them if running an errand for the badge holder!

[Old Cruser]

On the Parking Wars programme recently, people thought (or pretended to think) that they were entitled to use them if running an errand for the badge holder!

We could all act daft!

Just as a by the way I should have said in my first rant post that their is still a photo of the entitled BB holder but it is on the back of the card - sorry

[Alsatian]

They have only just done away with the photo Simon.
Blue Badges have been made tougher to obtain in recent years and now have to be paid for which I agree with.

There will always be mis-use of them although your idea of scanning a bar code is a good idea but may prove to costly.

Obviously I also get cross if I think someone is using another persons, it's just selfish.

it's not only relatives and friends though - the B.B is open to mis-use by people who work in places with disabled people and have a multi use badge.
I myself used to have one for children.

I have never used a B.B for my own benefit as I understand how important the spaces are for the  genuine people.

See what you have done now Simon - put me on my soap box 

Better get off it sharpish eh 

Yes OC, get off and make room for me!!

I regularly don't bother using the badge when my sisters got her wheelchair with her, I leave the disabled spaces for the people on their own.

[simondjuk]

I didnt mean to start people off 

I dont know a lot about them apart from some of the basics of where they can and cant park. 

Why were the photos removed, surely that makes them harder to copy as its more work?

[Alsatian]

I didnt mean to start people off 

I dont know a lot about them apart from some of the basics of where they can and cant park. 

Why were the photos removed, surely that makes them harder to copy as its more work?

The photos are still there but, instead of the photo being visible whilst the badge is 'in use', it's now on the underside.

[Old Cruser]

I didnt mean to start people off 

I dont know a lot about them apart from some of the basics of where they can and cant park. 

Why were the photos removed, surely that makes them harder to copy as its more work?

 ) Only tongue in cheek Simon  it can be a pain in the butt for genuine BB holders.
I do use the Bays when daughter is with me to be honest i need to wider bays to get the wheelchair down the side of the car, also room at the back for the hoisting.

@ Corgi - get off MY soap box, one dog one bone and all that  ) GRRRRRR

[Slacker]

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/judge-bans-woman-from-driving-for-six-months-after-parking-in-disabled-spot-30281430.html

[simondjuk]

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/judge-bans-woman-from-driving-for-six-months-after-parking-in-disabled-spot-30281430.html

Good

[Fly]

Is it 'Illegal' in the UK ?
I some how very much doubt it.

[Old Cruser]

What about this one

True or False  ( seriously as I don't know )

Cineworld disabled bade places in front of the main entrance.

Several years ago I asked a security guard if they could do anything about these bays being used by parents to drop/pick up children ( including teenagers ).
I was told 'no' as they were painted orange ( the old colour ) and not Blue?

Serious question

[Slacker]

Probably nothing in a parking area on private land in the same way they cannot impose fines for people who overstay time limits. Council car parks are a different matter