A disabled mother has spoken out about her £3,000 parking fine nightmare accumulated during school runs, despite correctly displaying her Blue Badge. Her case exposes what campaigners call a "systemic failure" in how local councils treat disabled drivers.
The Daily Struggle Turns Costly
What should be a simple school drop-off has become a source of immense stress and financial burden. The mother, who requires the Blue Badge for mobility issues, followed parking regulations but still received multiple Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) from overzealous enforcement cameras.
"The System Is Broken"
Despite numerous appeals providing clear evidence of her legitimate Blue Badge use, the fines continued to arrive. "I'm being penalised for being a disabled parent trying to take my children to school," she told reporters. "The automated system cannot distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate parking, punishing those who need accommodation the most."
A Wider Problem for Disabled Drivers
This case highlights a growing concern among disability advocates:
- Automated enforcement systems failing to recognise Blue Badges
- Lengthy and complex appeal processes that favour councils
- Inadequate provisions for disabled parents on school runs
- The financial burden on families already facing additional costs
Fighting Back Against Unjust Fines
The mother is now considering legal action after exhausting the appeals process. Disability rights organisations have taken up her case, warning that this could be the tip of the iceberg with many other disabled drivers facing similar unjust penalties.
Campaigners are calling for urgent reform of parking enforcement systems to properly accommodate Blue Badge holders and prevent what they describe as "the criminalisation of disability."
