My personal bug-bear with disabled bays (other than that I can’t use one as the local council is using a technicality to refuse my application) is the number of times I see someone sitting in the drivers seat of the car in the bay. Now I DO understand that it is entirely possible that the actual badge holder is in the shop and did need the space for access, and that the person in the car is a carer but I think it is MUCH more likely that the badge holder is the one sitting in the car while the mate/wife/hubby pops in as it’s easier for them than the disabled person. Chances are IF the badge holder is the one in the seat, they probably don’t even realise they’re breaking the terms of the badge as so many people just think the badge means they can use the space, end of discussion. The details ARE all in the documentation you get with the badge but, let’s face it, they’re almost equivalent to the terms and conditions on a website, you basically ignore them as technical details you don’t need to pay attention to – hell I have a website for my business and it took me 3 days to fully fill out the terms and conditions details and even as i wrote them out I was aware that 1. no-one is ever going to read them other than some jobsworth just wanting to know they’re there and 2. that so much which is legally required is insanely long winded and overcomplicated for no good reason other than just to tick a box
I must admit I am guilty as charged, I do not mix with people, I do no like people near me, I have to be accompanied every were I go. It safer and easier for my wife for me to park in the disabled bay with the door locked at least she know I am of harms way. On other occasion I park out of the way on the other side of the carpark were no one wants to park, unfortunately she has a lot of steel plates in her ankle and struggles to way distances, she is not classed as disabled or has a blue badge.
Unfortunately I have suffered a brain injury and occasionally I get confused and often say the wrong thing.