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AIBU?

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Original poster

To get the rage and not understand this attitude re blue badges

55 replies

Topttumps · 26/04/2019 07:41

I was reading a post on another site concerning blue badges.
During the discussion several people couldn’t understand why parking was free in car parks for blue badge holders. They felt it should be done on ability to pay as many “disabled people” work.
Aibu to get the rage about this. This is wrong on so many levels. After all having a disability has extra costs and not all car parks are free. Plus I am sure most people would rather be healthy or not have a disability and pay to park.

OP posts:
UrsulaPandress · 26/04/2019 07:46

My BIL once rolled his eyes when telling a tale of a chap in a very expensive car using a blue badge space at the Royal Albert Hall. As if having money meant you were somehow not properly disabled.

Not all blue badge parking is free. If it is I always use the perspective that a disabled person probably does not have any other means of getting there whereas an able bodied person could catch the bus. Or walk.

ScreamingValenta · 26/04/2019 07:46

I've never heard this argument about blue badges (but I don't get out much).

I thought parking was free because travel options other than cars might not be an option for blue badge holders, not because all badge holders are assumed to be on a low income.

Igotthemheavyboobs · 26/04/2019 07:49

I thought parking was free because travel options other than cars might not be an option for blue badge holders, not because all badge holders are assumed to be on a low income

Same

CrohnicallyEarly · 26/04/2019 07:50

As well as not being able to get there by other means, it's likely to take a blue badge holder longerto get round shops etc than a non blue badge holder. Therefore BB holders would be expected to pay more in order to do the same things, which isn't fair.

stucknoue · 26/04/2019 07:51

Most private car parks are not free either, the Albert Hall isn't free! Sometimes it's reduced but rarely these days. The main thing is a larger space so you can get easy access for a wheelchair and near the entrance.

00100001 · 26/04/2019 07:52

Well, I'm sure if they're ever eligible for a blue badge, they'll pay to park regardless.... Hmm

BishopBrennansArse · 26/04/2019 07:52

I have to use my car when other people could walk because of my disability. If I had to pay each time I would pay disproportionately more than an able bodied person due to my disability so OP YANBU.

TeenTitans · 26/04/2019 07:53

This gives me the rage too. People who moan about disability benefits yet have the privilege of not being disabled are horrid.

GreenEggsHamandChips · 26/04/2019 07:56

I actually agree on the pay to park thing.but as ever its a bit more complex than that

I think its because the blue badge gives you 3 hours on double yellow lines. This has been absolutely essential on occasion.

However most borough's would rather you parked in a car park than on double yellows. Hence offering the free parking.

catsmother · 26/04/2019 07:58

I've honestly never given any thought until now about free blue badge parking spaces. If I think about those spaces at all, it's a passing thought that I'm grateful I don't need one.

Presumably those who object do so on the petty basis that 'it's not fair'. In which case I guess they'd be more than happy to take on one or more of the various disabilities that entitle people to a blue badge in order to even things out and to make everything 'fair'. Obviously their life would then be enhanced thereafter Hmm

MissKittyBeaudelais · 26/04/2019 08:00

Yanbu. And they’re usually the people who just “park for 5 mins” in disabled bays.

Overmaars · 26/04/2019 08:03

YANBU OP. Of all the things to be annoyed about. People who have disabilities having some consideration given to them. Really some people must be really bored if they can't find other things to worry about.

Notinmyduty · 26/04/2019 08:05

My brother is disabled and drive a ridiculously fancy car - upgrades it every year always top of the range first name terms with the dealership. he runs his own very successful business, so no need for financial assistance but he does get challenged about his badge and he takes great pleasure in telling the person who challenged him to fuck off as his passengers gets out to grab his wheelchair from the boot - nothing makes him feel more normal - that prejudice that all disabled people are poor and don't drive nice cars is the very thing that makes him feel normal - while in his fancy car he doesn't look or feel disabled. It's lack of parking that he'll complain about, not whether he has to pay.

Sirzy · 26/04/2019 08:07

If somewhere offers free parking then fantastic. If not then I pay.

I do think in pay and display/timed car parks blue badge holders should get an extra hour for the cost because for a lot of people who are entitled to a BB it will take much longer to do basic things

SammySamSam09 · 26/04/2019 08:08

Blue badge here and I still pay for parking regardless.

jellybeanteaparty · 26/04/2019 08:19

Many car parks payment machines are not the right height to use from or wheelchair etc which is one of the reasons it can be free

Mummyoflittledragon · 26/04/2019 08:23

I have a bb. YANBU. It is expensive being disabled. This is the only thing i receive. I have not claimed disability benefit even though I should qualify and we don’t even get child benefit. Dh earns enough for us to pay in rather than receive.

TheDarkPassenger · 26/04/2019 08:25

Our town charges the same for them now.

Yabbers · 26/04/2019 08:38

It’s only in LA car parks and roadside. In most other car parks owned by the likes of NCP, Qpark etc you still pay.

On the flip side, places like London where we can’t use the tube, we end up paying a fortune in taxis. In one weekend it was over £100. So, happy to swap that for paying for parking.

On average, those with disabilities face extra costs of over £500 per month. On average, they earn nearly 3k per year less in salary, even if they do work. So, even if they are working, they often still have less money to spend.

IHateUncleJamie · 26/04/2019 08:40

YANBU. Actually a lot of bb parking isn’t free, especially at NHS hospitals. My disabilities mean I have to have a lot of hospital appointments and even if you can get one of the 5 blue badge bays 🙄 it’s £3.80 for 0-2 hours, including for blue badge holders.

Don’t even get me started on being glared at by elderly blue badge holders who think that nobody under 70 can possibly be disabled. They change their tune when DH gets my wheelchair out.

maresedotes · 26/04/2019 08:40

You have to pay for parking on most occasions (I know because my dad has a badge) including our local hospital.

Natasha4767 · 26/04/2019 09:49

I might get shot for this 🙈🙈

We have two blue badges in our house so have heard it all 🙈😂
But what drives me nuts is people parking in the disabled spaces and waiting for people. The other day at the hospital 3 cars were parked in disabled spaces all had badges but just sat in there cars taking up the spaces I asked if the could move to the waiting area or pull to the side then pull up to the front to collect there loved one. all 3 said no. Meaning I had to park on the 5th floor of a multi story 37 weeks pregnant with a child in a wheel chair.

I fully agree with the blue badge scheme but I do think "some in the minority" abuse it which is really frustrating.

MissKittyBeaudelais · 26/04/2019 10:27

@Notinmyduty. Ex partner had a work accident and has been paraplegic since. He always had great cars and we’d get a load of tut-tutting as he parked up in the disabled spot. Me heaving the then heavy wheelchair out of the back soon wiped the judgement off their faces.

DGRossetti · 26/04/2019 10:54

people couldn’t understand why parking was free in car parks for blue badge holders.

Generally only (the few) council ones - even then there's some council where you have to pay too. (When they introduced fees, abuse dropped. Just when you thought you couldn't feel more contempt for some people....)

Every private car park you have to pay the same as any other car.

Sockwomble · 26/04/2019 11:10

Most blue badge parking isn't free and many council car parks are now one additional hour free only. We see any 'freeness' as something helpful rather than a right. Personally I would rather extend the blue badge scheme, increase number spaces and drop free parking if need be but I know others feel differently.