Bay abuse goes down as warnings go up

Over five years, our Baywatch survey on the abuse of reserved parking bays by people without Blue Badges, has shown disappointing results. But now, says Helen Smith, things are looking up

This was the first time the survey (which counts the numbers of cars without Blue Badges parked in accessible bays) had been carried out since some stores had introduced fining for those found abusing the bays. The survey was carried out by over 550 people one week in September 2009 and I was hoping for dramatic improvements in the level of abuse reported. However, I was very disappointed by some results.

Although some supermarkets which had introduced enforcement had noticeable improvements Tesco’s abuse had rocketed to a record 24.6 per cent which is up nearly two per cent from 2007. Although Tesco claim that they are starting to enforce bays at some of their supermarkets, only a measly ten per cent of people reported any sign of this. So what did Tesco have to say about this appalling level of abuse?

A Tesco spokesperson said: "We favour the carrot not the stick. The great majority of our customers observe the policy well but those who don’t are informed there and then either verbally, over the store PA system, by leaving notices on cars or by similar methods.”

This was a nearly identical statement to that issued in 2007 when they also told Disability Now that they “preferred the carrot not the stick”. How disappointing that neither their policy or statement seems to have changed despite bay abuse getting significantly worse.

On a more positive note the store which was shown to have the least amount of parking abuse is Sainsbury’s with 16 per cent. In 2007 Sainsbury’s was reported to have 18 per cent abuse so although it’s only a small drop overall it is definitely in the right direction!

The reason Sainsbury’s has come out top of the list is likely to be because 55 per cent of you reported that there were signs up warning people that they would be fined for abusing the bays. Jacki Connor, Sainsbury's customer service director, said: “Last year we introduced a nationwide scheme of monitors to help keep our disabled bays available for those who need them, so it is great to hear that they are having a real impact and we hope other retailers will follow our lead in taking such a proactive approach to solving this problem.”

Morrisons, who came top of the last Baywatch survey, have now been knocked off their pedestal by Sainsbury’s with reported abuse in the car parks increasing significantly to 17.2 per cent. This is a huge disappointment when looking at their 2007 result which showed just 13 per cent abuse. Although 21 per cent of respondents said that the bays are enforced, many others found that not enough was being done. A spokesperson for Morrisons said: “We are disappointed that the Baywatch survey shows an increase in the inconsiderate misuse of disabled bays. We will continue to treat this matter with the importance it deserves and endeavour to reduce this figure.”

Asda was the first supermarket to make a commitment to fining abusers of their disabled bays. In 2007 they were joint worst supermarket with Tesco with 23 per cent abuse but this has now dropped to 19.2 per cent. This year, 46 per cent of you reported that there was evidence of bays being enforced so this shows that fining is starting to work. However, Mr Taylor from Stockton-on-Tees writes: “Even though signs are all visible, I spoke to a member of staff and they said that no action had been taken.” An Asda spokeswoman said: “We have really worked hard to ensure all of our customers enjoy their shopping experience, whether they’re disabled or not. It’s now for us to continue our commitment to keep these specialised parking spaces available to customers who need them most.”

This year’s Baywatch survey shows that enforcement does work, with a measurable decrease in disabled parking bay abuse at those stores where it has been introduced. However, in order to see real improvements for their disabled customers supermarkets need to do more than just put up signs – they need to practise active enforcement as well.