40% of cars display disability permits on Copenhagen street

More than 40 percent of the cars parked on Todesgade in Copenhagen displayed disability parking permits when DR visited, the broadcaster reports. The figure was 40.63 percent, or 13 of 32 cars.

The unusually high proportion has prompted debate among people interviewed on the street about how many permits are being used by people who genuinely need them, and what penalties should apply to those who cheat.

The issue became more prominent after the Conservative Party proposed that people who use stolen or forged disability parking permits should be able to lose their driving privileges.

The Danish Disability Organisations said it had received reports of 969 stolen disability parking permits, particularly from areas in Copenhagen and around Copenhagen Airport.

Line Håkansson, who is a stay-at-home resident, said the proposal made sense at first glance.

“It is appropriate. If you do not need it, it is quite easy,” she said, while adding that ordinary citizens cannot necessarily determine who is entitled to a permit.

“As a citizen, you do not have the right to judge, and you should mind your own business,” she said. She called stealing or misusing the permits “really bad form”.

Student Philip Raissnia also saw a reason to protect disability parking spaces, saying that parking is difficult to find in Copenhagen and that disabled people often have larger cars.

However, he was uncertain whether using a stolen permit should automatically result in losing a driving licence.

“I think you can give people who cheat a chance. But generally, I do not think people should cheat,” he said.

Mads Møller, who is on sick leave, was more sceptical about taking away driving privileges.

“Using such a disability permit says nothing about your abilities as a driver,” he said. “Taking away people’s driving privileges may be going too far.”

Ulf Ryland, a development consultant with Copenhagen Municipality, shared that assessment. He said he had also noticed the number of disability permits on the street.

“I have not seen that many people with disabilities, but I know you can get a permit for conditions that are not visible,” he said.

He said a fine would be a more appropriate response than taking away someone’s driving licence.

“You should not take away the driving licence, but a fine, yes,” he said.