To think parking on these double yellows is inconsiderate despite blue badge?

[catsarenice]

There is a long road between 2 schools which is used by parents to park on for school run and means traffic coming in either direction has to give way as only one car width can pass parked cars. This road is also on a double decker bus route and is absolute chaos at pick up/drop off. Recently double yellow lines have been added in the middle to allow a passing place and traffic wardens often patrol to prevent people parking on these and school markings. However, there are 3 blue badge holders who park on these lines every day so it is chaos again and often gridlocked. I vaguely know these people through school and in each case it's the driver entitled to the badge but they always have a passenger who actually gets out to pick child up. All the passengers stand by the cars chatting before pick up and I heard them laughing about how they make DP bring them up the school every day as if they brought their own car they'd have to walk further. One of the others then laughed and said it's great they've got their own parking space and they don't have to leave home early to get a close spot! I am fully aware of why blue badge holders are able to park in areas restricted for others but AiIBU to think this isnt on? Finally seemed to be a solution to the chaos and now it's terrible again!

[CoffeeWithMyOxygen]

I don't see how that can be right - it's been years since I held a Blue Badge but mine definitely stated that it doesn't give you permission to park on double yellows. Could you ask the traffic warden about it?

[bumsexatthebingo]

I couldn't get wound up about it tbh. I assume you are quite close to these people since you are aware of the nature of their disabilities and that the passengers don't have a hidden disability? I'm sure as a family there are a lot of times they struggle getting about if they qualify for a blue badge so I wouldn't begrudge them a convenient drop off. Why not get angry at the many people who are driving to school who could walk? Do you live near enough to walk. I walk the half hour each way daily so am a bit meh when people who love nearer than I do complain about traffic/parking issues.

[catsarenice]

Yes they're technically parked legally but it just seems selfish to me as the whole point of the lines was to create a passing point to prevent all the congestion issues and try to make the road safer. The schools had been working with the council for a solution and all the info went out on school newsletters and now it seems it was a complete waste of time because of these 3 people

[PastysPrincess]

Cannot wait or park on double yellow lines.

[catsarenice]

Bumsex I do walk. Don't begrudge the blue badge holders their badge but seeing as they stay sat in the car they could park anywhere

[catsarenice]

They are no signs just lines

[AndNowItsSeven]

Patsy that's in a controlled zone you can normally park ondouble yellows but only if the badge holder is either getting out of the vehicle or being picked up.

[catsarenice]

Confused now!

[JanuaryMoods]

Even with a blue badge you can be booked for obstruction. I'd report them.

[lozzylizzy]

I don't agree with the double yellow parking tbh. If the lines are needed it doesn't matter who is being transported inside the vehicle but the vehicle being in the way itself.

If it is safe for cars with disabled occupants then it is safe for everyone else. However I think there should be more marked out disabled bays should be marked out in appropriate areas and enforced for misuse.

[SixthSenseless]

They are misusing the Blue Badge.

And misunderstanding its use.

They are not entitled to use the Blue Badge if the holder is not getting out of the car.
They are not entitled to use a Blue Badge on double yellow where it causes an obstruction or safety issues.
and
A Blue Badge holder can use the badge in whatever car they are travelling in, it doesn't have to be their own car.

[bumsexatthebingo]

So it doesn't even effect you then? If you only know these people vaguely then how do you know the passengers that get out don't have an invisible disability?
If people able to walk walked instead of driving then there would be a lot less congestion. Why is your anger not directed at them?

[Babbaganush]

Does the disabled badge holder stay in the vehicle while it is parked up or get out? If they remain in the vehicle then that does not comply with the blue badge conditions . There are restrictions on where you can park even with a blue badge if you are causing an obstruction - have a word with the local parking enforcement department at your local council.

[dollydaydream114]

I don't see how that can be right - it's been years since I held a Blue Badge but mine definitely stated that it doesn't give you permission to park on double yellows.

Blue Badge holders can usually park on double/single yellows for a limited amount of time (I think it's two or three hours?) but you have to display a parking clock thingy in the window. My dad is disabled and if we drive him anywhere we have to take his Blue Badge with us.

There are some restrictions to this in specific areas though, usually where it would obstruct loading/unloading or be outright dangerous I think, or in ultra-congested areas like central London.

If their parking is posing a problem the council might actually wise up to this and place restrictions on that particular spot. Clearly the parents of the kids should not be using someone else's Blue Badge purely to be able to park nearer the school; that is absolutely taking the piss.

It's because of scammers like them that my dad gets random abuse from arsholes who somehow think he is cheating the system with his BB because he's not actually confined to a wheelchair all the time.

[PastysPrincess]

Scrap my last comment. Blue Badge holders can park on double yellow lines except where there is an additional ban on loading and unloading.

[catsarenice]

Bumsex it does annoy me that people drive rather than walk but this situation riles me because it causes so much congestion that it becomes dangerous as people can't see to cross the roads properly. Definitely no invisible disabilities 100% certain due to work knowledge

[dollydaydream114]

If you only know these people vaguely then how do you know the passengers that get out don't have an invisible disability?

Because the OP said she heard them laughing about the fact that they wouldn't be entitled to park near the school if they didn't make their disabled partner come with them on the school run every day - the person actually dropping the kids off and getting out of the car isn't the Blue Badge holder; the passenger is. They've apparently actually admitted that the passenger is being brought on the journey for the sole purpose of giving the able-bodied driver parking privileges.

Generally I would say exactly the same as you about invisible disabilities - it's an issue I'm a tad sensitive about and hyper-aware of because of my dad! But if the OP really did hear them say what she says they did, and didn't get the wrong end of the stick, they would be taking the piss.

Could be a misunderstanding of course.

[Timetogetup0630]

I would raise the issue with the school and ask them to approach the local council and ask if they can send someone out to have a look at the situation at school starting time or leaving time. The school needs to stress it is a safety issue.

[Spikeyball]

If they are causing an obstruction they are still breaking the law. Sometimes a few people parking on double yellow doesn't cause problems but the double yellow needs to be there to stop lots of people doing it and creating a problem. We only use double yellows for quick drop offs or pick ups.
People who abuse others or their own badge annoy me because we had to fight to get ds's and are grateful to have it.

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

It's strange that all of them were saying that they bring their partners for parking.

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

You can park legally - as long as it's safe - on double yellows with a BB unless you're in central London and maybe some other areas.

[bumsexatthebingo]

Did the op hear all of them say they can only park there because of their partner? Not sure how 'work knowledge' would mean you would know whether parents at the school had invisible disabilities either?

[WorraLiberty]

As you know them all so well and their conversation and laughter was loud enough to overhear, what did they say when you pointed out they were causing an obstruction/danger?