Overview

• Disabled Motoring UK will run its Baywatch survey from July 21 to August 15, urging Blue Badge holders to document misuse at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl car parks.
• North Somerset Council and other local authorities have intensified spot-checks this summer, confiscating more than 547 badges since 2017 as reported misuse has doubled over the past year.
• Confused.com data show 36% of disabled parking bays are occupied by non-badge holders, and Disabled Motoring UK says 52 Blue Badge holders now compete for each accessible space nationwide.
• Legal experts warn drivers face fines of up to £1,000 for incorrect badge use, with penalties rising to £2,500 and potential criminal prosecution for forging or illegally selling permits.
• Research from the Purple Pound estimates supermarkets lose £501 million each month due to insufficient disabled parking provision, underscoring economic costs of inaccessibility.