'Half of disabled badges illegal'

mkpdavies · 18-11-2006, 09:57 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6160588.stm

Quote:

Up to half of all disabled parking badges in London are being used illegally, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
It is estimated that badges are now changing hands on the black market for up to £500.

What a surprise.

Quote:

The badge does not carry a photograph or car registration number, so they can easily be transferred between vehicles and drivers.

A farce of a system really. Hardly surprising that people are abusing it, when they are sick of being fleeced so much.

Besoeker · 18-11-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

The badge does not carry a photograph

It's a farce because it doesn't have a photograph or car reg?
******. Yet MORE personal information that would have to be disclosed.
Totally objectional. Another infringement of civil liberties.
A small step on the way to ID cards...........

mkpdavies · 18-11-2006, 10:56 AM

Won't make any difference will it though. You won't leave your ID card in a car and they won't be able to scan it, unless it has RFID. If it has RFID, then ANYONE can scan it, including criminals.

Bottom line is you can't stop criminals breaking the law. All you can do is give them less reasons and opportunities and hit them very hard if/when you do catch them.

C_steam · 18-11-2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

The abuse is widespread in many UK cities and Manchester City Council is so concerned it is now using undercover surveillance to catch badge-abusers.

Oh good. I'm so pleased that such a resource is being used in this way, instead of being wasted on - say - catching violent criminals and paedo's.

eublues · 18-11-2006, 11:50 AM

I have no problem with some spaces being reserved for disabled drivers. However, from personal knowledge the minimal extent of the "disability" that gets you a pass (if you have the cheek) is wrong, and an insult to those that really are disabled, and there is no particular reason why parking in these spaces should be totally free.

The benefits of a disabled pass to any driver are so great (financially and otherwise) that it is hardly surprising there is widespread abuse.

mkpdavies · 18-11-2006, 11:56 AM

The fact we are so overcrowded in some areas now, means some people feel they have to bend the rules to survive. Owning a car is rapidly become the preserve of the rich.

SGK · 18-11-2006, 12:03 PM

If I remember correctly how it works, the abuse will not be coming from disabled people. If you, as an able bodied person, help a disabled person get around and thereby use your car, you can apply for a badge. You can then use it to park on yellow lines etc. when taking that person to the docs, shopping or whatever. The temptation is then to use the badge when you're nipping into the post office yourself.

Personally, I have never understood the reasoning that a disabled badged car can park on a yellow line. The reasoning is that they can't get around easily so need taking to the nearest possible point. BUT the reasoning behind a yellow line is that it is dangerous to park there, or that it would cause traffic congestion. Both these are true with or without a disabled badge!

Besoeker · 18-11-2006, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

Won't make any difference will it though. You won't leave your ID card in a car

Nor was I suggesting that - it would be a really bluddy stupid thing to do.
I was just making a light hearted tongue-in-cheek comment about the divulging of personal details when so many here seem to be paranoid about that kind of thing.

Wasted though........ :roll:

mkpdavies · 18-11-2006, 02:23 PM

I have no idea when you are joking or not to be honest.

Oliver · 18-11-2006, 04:06 PM

SGK is right

I drive a nissan serena eight seater, which belongs to the church, I pick up people to bring in and take them home again after meetings & services. ( four of which are registered disabled) two others should be. I could have a pick of any of their cards & disk, NB the card does have an id picture on it.

18-11-2006, 10:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,183 Party: Libertarian Party	Won't make any difference will it though. You won't leave your ID card in a car and they won't be able to scan it, unless it has RFID. If it has RFID, then ANYONE can scan it, including criminals. Bottom line is you can't stop criminals breaking the law. All you can do is give them less reasons and opportunities and hit them very hard if/when you do catch them. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

18-11-2006, 11:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,183 Party: Libertarian Party	The fact we are so overcrowded in some areas now, means some people feel they have to bend the rules to survive. Owning a car is rapidly become the preserve of the rich. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

18-11-2006, 02:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 31,183 Party: Libertarian Party	I have no idea when you are joking or not to be honest. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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18-11-2006, 11:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
eublues Uber Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,129	I have no problem with some spaces being reserved for disabled drivers. However, from personal knowledge the minimal extent of the "disability" that gets you a pass (if you have the cheek) is wrong, and an insult to those that really are disabled, and there is no particular reason why parking in these spaces should be totally free. The benefits of a disabled pass to any driver are so great (financially and otherwise) that it is hardly surprising there is widespread abuse.

18-11-2006, 12:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
SGK Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,237	If I remember correctly how it works, the abuse will not be coming from disabled people. If you, as an able bodied person, help a disabled person get around and thereby use your car, you can apply for a badge. You can then use it to park on yellow lines etc. when taking that person to the docs, shopping or whatever. The temptation is then to use the badge when you're nipping into the post office yourself. Personally, I have never understood the reasoning that a disabled badged car can park on a yellow line. The reasoning is that they can't get around easily so need taking to the nearest possible point. BUT the reasoning behind a yellow line is that it is dangerous to park there, or that it would cause traffic congestion. Both these are true with or without a disabled badge!

18-11-2006, 04:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
Oliver Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: WHITBY North Yorkshire (but my heart is in Woking) Posts: 1,062	SGK is right I drive a nissan serena eight seater, which belongs to the church, I pick up people to bring in and take them home again after meetings & services. ( four of which are registered disabled) two others should be. I could have a pick of any of their cards & disk, NB the card does have an id picture on it.