More than 2.5 million Brits have misused a disabled parking spot

Findings from a new survey by on-line parking portal YourParkingSpace.co.uk indicate that more than 2.5 million Brits are flouting the use of disabled parking spots.

Among the excuses given by motorists were that they were in a rush, they thought no-one would notice, they didn’t care and even that they felt there should be no special parking for Blue Badge holders.

However, the most common reason was that they simply did not realise it was a disabled parking spot, indicating that more prominent signage might be required at many places.

And according to the survey, there could be even more misusing these spaces than those admitting to it, as results also show that nearly two-thirds of people have seen someone else doing it.

But it’s not all doom-and-gloom, as more than a quarter of brave Brits would confront a disabled parking space offender.

Harrison Woods, managing director of YourParkingSpace.co.uk which conducted the survey, said: “It is shocking to think that there is a significant number of Brits who believe there’s nothing wrong in parking in a disabled parking spot when they have no right to.

“Not only can this lead to a fine but it is also very inconsiderate to disabled drivers who might be forced to park somewhere else if the space is wrongly taken.”

As well as harsher financial penalties, including increasing the maximum fine to £5,000 to misusers of on-street disabled parking spaces, almost a quarter of those surveyed wanted a further punishment of three penalty points on a driving licence, while more than 1 in 10 backed the idea of community service.

There was also strong support that offenders be sent on a disability awareness course, with backing from almost a third of people, while a temporary driving ban of 3 months or less was welcomed by just under 5 per cent of respondents.

Harrison added: “Another excuse given by offenders was that the disabled parking spot was the only space available. Those drivers who feel that this is a justifiable reason should plan ahead so they aren’t parking where they are not allowed.”

Meanwhile, Philip Connolly, Policy Manager of Disability Rights UK, commented: “One of the most important questions we can ask ourselves as human beings is what is it like to be someone else. For example, what is it like to be a blue badge holder in any town centre. My guess is that just to ask the question is to know that you don’t want to park in a disabled parking space if you are not disabled yourself.”