Drivers have been urged to fill out a survey if they see certain cars in supermarket car parks, following concerns around the misuse of disabled parking bays and Blue Badges
Drivers have been called upon to report certain motorists parking their vehicles at well-known supermarkets.
There are worries surrounding the abuse of disabled parking spaces and Blue Badges in supermarket car parks, with concerns that many are utilising the designated areas without proper entitlement.
Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK) has now encouraged people to complete a survey after visiting popular retailers including Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.
Dr Shani Dhanda, Award Winning Disability Inclusion & Accessibility Specialist, argued that reporting the abuse of parking spaces would help “hold people to account”.
It comes after a writer claimed ‘I tried butter from Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and big brands – and the winner is not Lurpak’.
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Dr Dhanda said: “Accessible parking bays aren’t just a nice-to-have – they’re a lifeline. Without them, so many disabled people are shut out of everyday life, whether that’s getting to work, buying food, going to appointments, or just being part of their community.”, reports the Express.
“When bays are misused or not properly enforced, it sends a really clear message that our access and independence aren’t a priority. Baywatch matters because it’s not just raising awareness – it’s holding people to account and pushing for real change.”
The survey’s questions ask motorists to disclose how many disabled spaces were occupied at a particular moment.
The questionnaire also requests drivers to reveal how many of the cars are not displaying a Blue Badge. The survey also aims to uncover the condition of disabled EV charging bays across UK stores.
DMUK states the survey’s revelations should shed light on the current situation faced by the disabled community.
Officials confirmed the survey will run from 21st July until 15th August, with the results set to be published next month. A previous survey conducted by DMUK in 2024 found that 40% of disabled drivers had been forced to leave car parks due to a lack of available spaces.
In addition, 36% reported seeing non-badge holders occupying disabled parking bays, a significant setback. This comes as the demand for accessible bays continues to rise, with nearly three million Blue Badge holders now in the UK.
Experts also disclosed that these statistics mean there is now an average of 52 Blue Badge holders for just one disabled bay.
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