5. Badge Security & Design
1. Misuse, or perceived misuse, of the Blue Badge Scheme is a significant issue which has attracted high profile media coverage. Misuse is a particular problem within city centres, where high parking charges and limited parking spaces make the concessions offered to badge holders very appealing. Misuse undermines the credibility of the Scheme and has a direct impact on traffic management and policing.
2. In the future we would like to move to a secure and machine readable badge. We want to see a badge design that is harder to copy, forge or tamper with, is portable and keeps personal details secure.
3. In Chapter 6, we propose introducing a national database and the central issue of badges. Such a move supports a common numbering system for badges to enable more effective version control of replacements and enforcement through visual inspection. It will also provide a cross-reference between a badge's serial number and the database record.
4. Currently 50% of local authorities include relevant information on the badge holder within their badge serial number to allow enforcement officers to immediately confirm if the person using the badge is the badge holder. We envisage the serial code to include discreet references to whether the badge belongs to a driver or passenger, male or female and age of badge holder.
Q 5.1: Do you agree that we should move towards the central distribution of badges to improve the security of the badge?
5. We would like to see other improvements to the badge. A simple change requiring the serial number to be printed on both sides of the badge would allow authorised personnel to check the validity of the badge irrespective of how it is displayed in a vehicle. This change could be made by amending secondary legislation.
6. Along with our colleagues in the UK Department for Transport and the Welsh Assembly Government we are looking at the introduction of a centrally printed card that will encompass a digital photo and be machine printed. We are considering whether there is a practical requirement for a signature to be included on the badge - a signature will still be required on the application form.
7. Presently the badge holder's photograph is placed on the reverse of the badge - the side which is usually placed face down on the dashboard. We have received mixed comments about this practice. Some agree with the photo being on the reverse for security reasons while some would like the photograph on the front to validate that it is their badge.
Q 5.2: Would you like to see the badge holder's photograph on the front of the badge?
8. By clarifying the validity of the badge (see Chapter 6) local authorities can amend their guidance to state that where a badge is deemed to be invalid the local authority can tow away vehicles that are displaying such Blue Badges. Currently many local authorities do not tow away vehicles displaying a current disabled person's badge unless they are abandoned, obstructing a road or causing a danger.