Reforms will help disabled motorists

New anti-fraud technology is being used to help reform a “lifeline” scheme for disabled drivers.

Changes are being made to the Blue Badge scheme from next month, which should improve access to disabled parking spaces for those who need them.

Transport minister Keith Brown said the system had been “open to abuse and misuse by far too many”. But now the Scottish Government, alongside the Department for Transport, has announced a raft of reforms.

From January, a new Blue Badge design, which is harder to copy, forge or alter, will be introduced. A new national database will allow enforcement officers anywhere in the country to check the details of badges and badge-holders.

A telephone helpline that should provide badge-holders with better customer service is being brought in.

Severely disabled service personnel and veterans will automatically become eligible for a Blue Badge.