I come across many Blue Badge users during the day and most seem unaware or choose to ignore the rules. Today though a blue badge user went to new heights.
As I went to turn right in to a road a Bath a vehicle was stopped a few feet from the junction. This is not unusual as people sometimes stop to check a map. Anyway a gave a toot on the horn and expected the driver to see the three buses behind him and move off. However, he did nothing and continued to read his newspaper. I gave another toot and the driver moved down the road into a narrow section, once again blocking the road. I gave another rather longer toot and the driver waved his blue badge at me. At this point I got out and went up to the gent and advised he was blocking the road. He told me that as a professional driver I should be able to get past. That would have meant mounting the pavement which of course is against the law
You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency.
[Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & RTA 1988 sect 34]
The gent did then move, by mounting the pavement !
So how many rules did this gent break. Well just about them all.
parking opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space;
where it would make the road narrow, such as by a traffic island or roadworks;
where it would hold up traffic, such as in narrow stretches of road or blocking vehicle entrances;
on a pavement, unless signs permit it.
If you do have a blue badge and use it correctly I apologise but please ensure you read the rules and responsibilities that come with it. You can find them here.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/motoringandtransport/dg_4001061
1 comment:
It is the same all over the country, these Blue Badge holders just love to park anywhere, regardless of other road users. They then want compensation when their mirrors suffer a little knock.
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