tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post5059881772402517334..comments2024-01-26T10:20:37.836+00:00Comments on Diary of a Goldfish: Concessions of a Blue Badge HolderThe Goldfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15213378454070776331noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-67337723389495060612007-03-08T03:40:00.000+00:002007-03-08T03:40:00.000+00:00Penelope is right, in the USA there are no fee wai...Penelope is right, in the USA there are no fee waivers for parking/toll roads for people with handicapped-space tags.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-28042928638528556532007-02-22T23:52:00.000+00:002007-02-22T23:52:00.000+00:00In the US, I think it's much less common (and cert...In the US, I think it's much less common (and certainly less advertised) to have fees waived for something if you have our equivalent of a blue badge. I know there are some city streets where the difference is that instead of paying 50 cents or so to park for 2 hours maximum, you get for as long as you want for free, but it's not nationalized (and sometimes not even by state) so while you might be able to do it one place, you can't most places and unless you feel like looking up the law for every single city you visit, there's no point. <BR/><BR/>That said, I have no idea what the black market for the things is over here. I do know that a lot of things are still heavily abused. There's a story about a cop who went around some major city at one point and checked and found over a hundred which were not the badges for the people who were using them.Penelopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06266694020145632041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-16678781796847069322007-02-21T18:19:00.000+00:002007-02-21T18:19:00.000+00:00"that's something which may apply to many people w..."that's something which may apply to many people who are not elligible for the Blue Badge."<BR/><BR/>Yes. Some people with blue badges and a lot of people without blue badges need - actually NEED - to use a car within the congestion zone on a regular and long-term basis.<BR/><BR/>Hence, I agree with you that the blue badge should not mean automatic let-off from the charges - BUT I feel that those people should be able to get a significant reduction, at least.<BR/><BR/>As for the motability scheme, IF I was in a fit state to drive I would only go for it if I needed a specially adapted car. In other circumstances I would get a straightforward bank loan, buy a decent (but not brand spanking new) car, and end up owning it outright after a few years for a monthly payment of considerably less than ALL the DLA. That way if you improve a little/are very unlucky with the forms after a few years and they take your DLA away, you don't lose the car and suffer the effects.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11639094548415759560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-28846859128038217052007-02-21T13:41:00.000+00:002007-02-21T13:41:00.000+00:00Just to play devil's advocate, and because I am a ...Just to play devil's advocate, and because I am a fan of road pricing in general and immobile, if this is a big problem it should have investment that reflects that both in education and policing rather than putting the onus on the badge holder. Policies that force a discrepancy in levels of individual liberty between regular joe and disadvantaged minorities should be avoided at all costs.fluttertonguehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06503797774392650926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-91371040682411885622007-02-21T11:52:00.000+00:002007-02-21T11:52:00.000+00:00I guess the whole problem with DLA is that it is o...I guess the whole problem with DLA is that it is one size fits all. The expenses of mobility aren't nearly so regular in any case. Need an MOT? That's a weeks' worth if nothing else needs doing. Need new batteries for the wheelchair? Well that's several weeks' worth all at once.<BR/><BR/>However, we are still making choices - including whether to use the motability scheme. As for journeys for therapeutic purposes, well that's something which may apply to many people who are not elligible for the Blue Badge.<BR/><BR/>Vic makes a good point about the proposed pay-as-you-drive road charging though; to be honest, my proposal might fall down at that gate, unless DLA went up <I>a lot</I> to compensate for the additional cost of needing the car.<BR/><BR/>And Vic, no, the fact you <I>don't</I> have to display your photo is part of the whole thing which makes fraud so easy. In fact, it is only in recent months that traffic wardens have been allowed to ask to see it - previously that privelege was reserved for police officers.<BR/><BR/>And that is one suggestion - to put the photo on the front. But as you say, it gives too much information to potential felons of all variety, to associate the person with the car with the disability status.<BR/><BR/>The other suggestion often raised is to associate the Blue Badge with one vehicle. But of course for those of us unable to drive, who might rely on several different vehicles...The Goldfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213378454070776331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-7282792510967483262007-02-21T11:31:00.000+00:002007-02-21T11:31:00.000+00:00I'm now interested in what happens with this road ...I'm now interested in what happens with this road pricing scheme, whether any concessions will be made there.<BR/><BR/>The other thing I've wondered about is identity theft. If I remember correctly (been a while since I've had to use my badge, for various reasons) - you're supposed to display it with your photo and name visible. Not too much problem for John Smith, but when you're the only Matyhcideon* in the phone book, it's not very comforting to effectively advertise your name, address and <I> potential </I> (at least some people might think) vunerability.<BR/><BR/>*purely fictional, any resemblance to persons living....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-7134635535842325812007-02-21T10:54:00.000+00:002007-02-21T10:54:00.000+00:00Good morning Ms Goldfish!For checking and legitima...Good morning Ms Goldfish!<BR/><BR/>For checking and legitimacy, I would have no problem with someone checking the serial number of my badge against a database with my name and photograph on it and saying "yep, that's you, sorry to have bothered you, have a nice day." But I'm against arguing with a civil servant about "how disabled" I may or may not be.<BR/><BR/>I think the thing about the congestion charge is that it's not in place to be a "reasonable" or "fair" charge - it's supposed to be a deterrent, an effective way to get people to opt for walking or public transport instead of using their cars. For those people who have no choice BUT to use their cars, that's a bit of a bugger to say the least. Particularly if they have to enter the zone for work or therapy several times a week.<BR/><BR/>While high-rate mobility DLA is a not inconsiderable £43 a week, it must be remembered that for many people this cash, for all practical purposes, doesn't exist because they have got a car through Motability, effectively signing all their "getting about the place" money away. They can't yoink a bit of it back to cover parking or road charges, those will have to be covered by other funds.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11639094548415759560noreply@blogger.com