Blue Badge offences result in further convictions

Eleven drivers and a vehicle owner have been prosecuted and ordered to pay fines totalling £4,352 for Blue Badge misuse related offences in the south London borough of Bromley.

All eleven drivers were found guilty of taking advantage of Blue Badge scheme parking concessions that they were not entitled to. The offences included: displaying counterfeit badge; badges that had been cancelled due to loss and theft; the misuse of badges belonging to individuals who had passed away; and using badges when the holders were not present.

A vehicle owner was prosecuted under Section 112 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 for failing to provide information relating to the identification of a driver after a suspected Blue Badge misuse incident occurred involving the display of a child’s Blue Badge.

Cllr Kate Lymer, Bromley’s executive councillor for public protection and enforcement said: “The nature of these latest offences is shocking, and I am extremely disappointed that they continue to occur locally. There is no excuse for displaying a cancelled badge and any driver who takes the risk should realise that Blue Badge checks are part of our officers’ daily duties and these checks include verifying the validity of the badge at the scene. A zero tolerance applies to anyone caught abusing the scheme which means a criminal conviction for the offender in all cases.

“It seems that drivers who knowingly abuse the scheme either don’t realise or don’t care about the impact their actions are having on those with genuine disabilities or health conditions and it’s shameful that in many cases, the driver is related to the badge holder. Blue Badge scheme abuse will not be tolerated because of the serious effects it has on the everyday lives of genuine badge holders.”

Since the beginning of the year, more than 40 motorists have been prosecuted for Blue Badge misuse related offences in Bromley.

Blue Badge misuse is a criminal offence that can lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the badge.