Enforcement officers from the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD) identified seven cases, during a single inspection, where blue badges were being used by relatives of persons with a disability whilst their relative was not present in the car with them.

Blue badges in Malta are meant to help persons with mobility issues, visual impairments, or some other disability to park in reserved parking spaces, which are appropriately marked in blue in parking areas and roads around the Maltese islands. Blue badges must be prominently placed on the concerned vehicle's windscreen.

This right is only permissible if the person with the disability is in the vehicle with the blue badge as either its driver or as a passenger. Hence, blue badges must not be used by any relatives or friends of a person with a disability without them being present in the car with them.

Blue badges are recognised throughout the European Union and in some other select foreign countries.

The CRPD noted that these inspections are part of its Enforcement Team's work, which also includes training police and law enforcement officers and even making sure that the Blue Badge registry remains up to date.

It added that these measures ensure that persons with a disability can have better access to blue bays when they need them.