Press Release 20 January 2004: MACS welcomes the power to inspect Blue Badges displayed on motor vehicles
From 1 January 2004 police officers, traffic wardens and local authority parking attendants have had the power to inspect Blue Badges being displayed on motor vehicles. Margaret Hickish, Convener of MACS commented:
"I welcome police officers, traffic wardens and local authority parking attendants having the authority to inspect Blue Badges.
It is imperative that legitimate badge holders can fully enjoy the parking concessions available to them under the Blue Badge Scheme. This power should help to reduce the perceived abuse of the Scheme by non-disabled relatives and friends of badge holders using badges that are not their own and by people forging or tampering with badges.
Legitimate badge holders have nothing to fear from their badges being inspected. It is about catching people using a badge that is not theirs or who are using a forged or stolen badge.
I commend the Scottish Executive for producing in association with MACS and other organisations detailed guidance for both enforcers and Blue Badge holders."
Notes:
1. MACS (Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland) is an advisory non-departmental public body set up to advise Scottish Ministers on disability issues in relation to transport policy.
2. MACS' vision is of a Scotland where anyone with a mobility problem due to some physical, mental or sensory impairment can go when and where everyone else can and have the information and opportunities to do so.
3. The Committee is made up of 13 people, appointed by Scottish Ministers, most of whom have a disability. Margaret Hickish is the Convener of MACS.
4. Margaret, a wheelchair user, is a Group Leader of Disability Design Consultancy with Buro Happold Engineeers Ltd and has advised the Holyrood Parliament Project since December 2000. She was previously employed as a Development Manager with the Adapt Trust and as a Quality Assurance Manager with the Ministry of Defence.
MACS Secretariat
Tel: 01383 749548
E-mail: macs@macs-mobility.org