People with disabilities: EC parking card

The transport committee this morning endorsed a Commission proposal to introduce a special parking card for the disabled which would be valid throughout the EU. The committee's rapporteur Tom MEGAHY (PES, UK) (cooperation procedure, first reading) explained that different national and even regional rules caused confusion, not only for the holder but also for enforcement officials such as traffic wardens. He is not, however, proposing to replace a national card with an EU card, instead suggesting that both cards should be used in parallel with each other. The idea is that the card can be transferred from one vehicle to another and thus enable a disabled person, using a hired car, to enjoy the same benefits as others. The committee is, however, concerned about abuse of such cards by non-disabled drivers and is tabling several amendments with a view to guarding against this practice. In view of the potential risk to vulnerable people such as the disabled, the committee also wants information such as address and date of birth deleted from the card. �