Sir, – While I fully sympathise with Alan Cook (August 30th) in his plea for tighter checks on those using a disabled parking bay, could I gently point out that his suggestions relate only to a disabled driver, and the use of one specific car. They do not include the driver of a disabled passenger, of whom I am one, and the possible use of more than one car to transport the disabled person, a simple example being the use of a hired car while on holiday in the EU with the disabled person.
On this subject could I point out the flagrant misuse of the permit by family members and friends of a disabled person, who regularly park in dedicated spaces when not accompanied by the holder of the permit. This should warrant a hefty fine, if not confiscation of the permit. By the way, I have been told by several traffic wardens that there is brisk trade in counterfeit or stolen permits, another aspect of misuse that warrants investigation. – Yours, etc,
ROSEMARY GRAHAM,
Muldowney Court,
Malahide,
Co Dublin.
A chara, – I can readily empathise with Alan Cook (August 30th) regarding his disgust at seeing the limited parking facilities available to disabled drivers being abused by apparently perfectly able people. However, many people who suffer from a disability are sometimes assisted by friends or neighbours to go on regular shopping trips to the local supermarket and are driven there and back. I do this for a companion of mine and when we both alight from the car it would appear that we are both able people. While this is the case for me, my companion is challenged by partial loss of vision, a condition which would be very difficult if not impossible to diagnose at a mere glance.
She could, of course, carry a stick or some other indicator of her condition but people have their sensibilities about such things, which I can readily understand.
The simple act of crossing the car park can be a terrifying experience for a person with severe tunnel vision so I can assist her in that regard also. A person with this disability could not have a car of her own for obvious reasons and it would appear to me that the EU regulations would protect me from the prying eyes of the traffic warden and at the same time treat her on an equal basis with the car-owning disabled person.
I should point out that her permit is not left in my car but is taken along with her so that she can use it with others who are willing to assist her. The EU regulations do have some method in their madness after all. – Is mise,
EAMONN Ó CEALLAIGH,
Crodaun Cill,
Droichid,
Co Chill Dara.
Sir, – While agreeing Alan Cook’s suggestions about parking badge security have merit, I question his ability to tell whether somebody is “perfectly healthy” or not. Not all disabilities or disabling illnesses are visible. Parking badges are not solely for people in wheelchairs, despite the logos used. – Yours, etc,