We support DMUK's Baywatch campaign

A common problem for many disabled motorists is not being able to park at their desired destination, especially at their local supermarket because the disabled bays are occupied by cars not displaying a Blue Badge.  Disabled Motoring UK’s Baywatch campaign seeks to address this.

The campaign researches the level of disabled parking abuse at supermarkets by asking disabled motorists to survey their local supermarket car park counting how many disabled bays are provided, and how many cars are parked in them without displaying a Blue Badge.  Information such as the type of enforcement (if any) carried out by the parking operator responsible for the car park is also collected.  Details of the operator and enforcement should be displayed on the signage near the disabled bays.

The campaign is run annually, usually in August.  For the first time the 2022 survey received over 1000 responses.  

Baywatch campaign 2022 results

Local authorities
It is good to see fewer (78%) respondents think that local authorities are not doing enough to tackle disabled parking abuse.  Significantly lower than last year (96%), suggesting that local authorities are doing more to tackle this issue. And more respondents reported they had had their Blue Badge inspected by an official, but over 90% said they wanted more inspections.  We hope this if the beginning of a positive trend and will continue to support local authorities to make parking for disabled drivers a positive experience.

Supermarkets
Disabled parking at supermarkets is a less positive picture. Over 80% of respondents said they ‘very often’ or ‘often’ see disabled parking bays being abused.

Prosecution and enforcement 
Over 90% of respondents thought that abusers of the blue badge scheme should be prosecuted. Some respondents suggested there be more inspections, higher fines, have a picture on the front of the badge, use cameras and scanners to help enforcement. Avoid having disabled bays right in front of cash points and for local authorities to have blue badge awareness training.  

Electric vehicles
Accessible public charge points had only been noticed by 42% of respondents in their local area. Given that a higher proportion of disabled drivers will own EVs due to them being more likely lease cars this needs to improve. It is hoped the publication of the Guidance on accessible chargepoint design PAS 1899 will help. 

Read the full results of the Baywatch campaign 2022 and visit the DMUK website.