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Holyrood to pass blue badges bill Disabled parking abuse laws passed
(about 5 hours later)
Proposals aimed at tackling the misuse of disabled parking badges are expected to be passed by the Scottish Parliament later. New laws to crack down on drivers who abuse disabled parking have been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
The Disabled Persons' Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill will allow councils to cancel badges which have been reported lost or stolen. The legislation aims to deal with the hundreds of drivers said to be misusing blue badges, by giving councils powers to confiscate and cancel them.
They will also be able to confiscate badges that are being misused. The Disabled Persons' Parking Badges Bill was brought forward by SNP MSP Dennis Robertson, who is blind.
Disability groups have claimed that misuse of the blue badges is widespread. He said abuse of the system was a growing problem and had become "unacceptable".
The Member's Bill was introduced in December by SNP MSP Dennis Robertson, who is blind. There are 245,000 legitimate blue badge holders in Scotland, and Holyrood's local government committee said misuse of the blue badge scheme was having a "major impact" on the lives of people who rely on disabled parking spaces.
In addition, research by agency Transport Scotland said 83% of legitimate badge holders had encountered misuse.
Misuse of a blue badge is already an offence, but enforcement powers currently lie with the police.Misuse of a blue badge is already an offence, but enforcement powers currently lie with the police.
Earlier this year, the Local Government and Regeneration Committee at Holyrood said misuse of the blue badge scheme had a "major impact" on the lives of people who rely on disabled parking spaces. The legislation will come into force next year.
The final scrutiny of the bill can be watched, live or on demand, at BBC Scotland's Democracy Live website.