A person who has a disabled parking badge said she sees people who don't have the badge park in disabled bays 'every day'.
A new survey carried out by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) found that fear of physical and verbal abuse, as well as their own safety, were among the top reasons for not approaching somebody parked illegally in accessible parking bays.
Over 2,600 people responded to the survey with 94% saying they would welcome a mobile phone text alert scheme to notify a local warden when someone is parked illegally.
Tracy told Lunchtime Live she has a Disabled Person's Parking Card but finds it hard to get a space.
"It's quite a massive issue where I'm living now," she said.
"I have a blue badge so I kind of see a lot where you wouldn't have a space because there's people parked there that don't have blue badges.
"I see people who are elderly or men parking in the Mother and Baby spaces".
Parking spots reserved for disabled people in Cork, 23-11-11. Image: Ken Welsh/Design Pics via ZUMA WireTracy said people can also report issues in online groups.
"There's actually groups on Facebook now where you can take a picture of a car... and call people out on it," she said.
"I've seen it quite a few times."
Tracy said she wouldn't call somebody out in person "for fear of retaliation".
"People can be quite rude and I've seen it happen to people where they're told to basically f-off," she said.
"I've had someone try and call me out but I have my blue badge".
'A tractor'
Nikki, who also holds a Disabled Person's Parking Card, has some advice for people.
"First look for the badge before you say anything," she said.
"If the badge isn't there by all means go over and just have a gentle word.
"I find myself having to rush out of the car so people can see my prosthetic leg - but that shouldn't be on me to have to do that."
Nikki recalls one incident that sticks with her.
"The most drastic vehicle that I've seen in a disabled spot was a tractor," she said.
"A young fella, he got back into the tractor and went to reverse.
"I actually parked in behind him and didn't let him out; I didn't say a word to him, I just pointed at my blue badge and made eye contact.
"In that moment, without a word being spoken, I could tell by the young fella's face I'm hoping that he won't do it again".
A Parking Space Reserved For Disabled Drivers, 06-05-2010. Image: Ken Welsh/Design Pics via ZUMA WireNikki said there is a mentality of people parking in disabled spaces for five minutes to 'run in for a pint of milk'.
"Once you're in the shop you don't know how many people with blue badges have had to pass that space and park somewhere else and may be not park at all," she said.
"What people don't realise is those spaces are made wider for a reason: to allow the door to open fully to allow either a wheelchair user or a crutch user out and give them that space.
"You simply can't do that in a normal parking space".
Nikki said people parked in disabled bays is something she sees "every day", especially in private car parks.
It is an offence to park a vehicle in an accessible parking bay in a public place without a valid parking permit.
Offenders can receive a parking fine of €150 which increases to €225 if not paid within 28 days.
