A recent investigation has revealed that 16,866 parking tickets have been issued over the past five years to individuals who incorrectly used disabled parking bays. A Freedom of Information request submitted to Oxfordshire County Council uncovered that fines totaling £542,100 have been levied for these offenses since 2020.
Members of the Oxford-based disabled charity, My Life My Choice, have expressed frustration with those who misuse disabled parking spaces. Katherine Longthorp, a wheelchair user, advocates for stricter penalties for offenders. “It disregards the law and dismisses the rights of disabled individuals,” she remarked. Katherine suggests that adding points to offenders’ driving licenses might be more effective than simply imposing fines.
She further highlights the challenges faced by disabled individuals due to the inadequate availability of disabled parking. “Often, we are forced to park in standard bays where there isn’t sufficient room to maneuver, especially with obstacles like bollards,” she noted.
Abul Kasem, also a wheelchair user, shared his frustration, stating that witnessing unauthorized vehicles in disabled bays is infuriating. Blue Badge holder Leslie Hunt added: “The lack of space in non-disabled bays means I’m unable to access my car comfortably.”
For those eligible, a Blue Badge costs just £10, whereas a parking penalty costs £70, or £35 if settled within 21 days. While Oxfordshire County Council does not issue fines directly for the misuse of Blue Badges, they contract Trellint, who is tasked with enforcement.
Data revealed that five individuals have faced fines in the past two years for wrongly using a Blue Badge. A council spokesperson clarified, “The figures pertain to criminal prosecutions for Blue Badge misuse, handled by our counter-fraud team and, when necessary, referred to magistrates’ court.”
The spokesperson added, “Fines are issued post-successful prosecution for criminal misuse of a Blue Badge, separate from civil enforcement measures. Our council seeks to recuperate some costs associated with bringing such cases to court.”
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