![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/24\/590x\/secondary\/elderly-driving-parking-4979293.jpg?r=1695996340748\")
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Five percent of the 1,366 respondents admitted to parking in disabled spaces when they shouldn’t with seven percent doing the same for parent-child bays.<\/p>\n
Ash Young, founder of CarMats.co.uk said parking in these spaces can cause headaches for motorists.<\/p>\n
In some cases, he warned disabled people may even ditch their shopping if they can\u2019t find a comfortable place to park.<\/p>\n
Mr Young explained: \u201cOur survey results show that there\u2019s still a lot of unauthorised use of parking spaces.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re designed to make it easier for anyone with specific needs so they can access shops, facilities and services.<\/p>\n
DON’T MISS <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n \u201cParking in these when you don\u2019t need them can make it really difficult or impossible for those who require them to go about their daily life.<\/p>\n \u201cSome disabled people may even be forced to abandon a shopping trip and go home if they can\u2019t find suitable parking\u201d.<\/p>\n Drivers who ignore the rules and park in spaces illegally could be slapped with a fine between \u00a370 and \u00a3100.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, road users who use a blue badge without being entitled could be issued a whopping \u00a31,000 charge. Specialists have reminded motorists that a blue badge is linked to a specific person and not a vehicle.<\/p>\n This means that you can still use a blue badge in a vehicle which is not owned by the disabled person if they come along as well.<\/p>\n However, this would mean the blue badge could not be used if you borrow a disabled person\u2019s car without them in attendance.<\/p>\n Age UK added: \u201cDisabled parking spaces are generally the same width as standard bays, however, there is more space between each bay that is usually marked out with white or yellow crosses on the road to enable sufficient access for those with limited mobility and wheelchair users.<\/p>\n \u201cThis makes them approximately 1.2 metres wider than a standard space and they have a total width of 3.6 metres.\u201d<\/p>\n
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