FINDING a parking place in Glasgow can at times be a frustrating experience which requires a calm head and patience.

Some drivers are content to find a multi-storey and walk to their destination while others insist on parking as close as possible to the shop or office they plan to visit.

However there are a growing number of motorists who take the easiest - and most selfish - option possible.

They either use a blue disabled parking badge which they are not entitled to or obtain one fraudulently.

That allows them to park wherever there is a space and rids them of the inconvenience of having to buy a parking ticket.

The problem is they are taking up a space which a disabled driver or passenger may need if they have any chance of going about their businesses.

It is estimated that one in three blue badges in Glasgow are being used by people who have no right to right to them.

And surveys have shown that in some parts of the city, more than half the bays are occupied by vehicles displaying the disabled badge.

Common sense suggests the vast majority of those badges are being used illegally by motorists who are too lazy to walk an extra few yards.

However the city council has had enough and these selfish motorists could soon find themselves facing legal action.

New legislation added to the Disabled Persons' Parking Badges (Scotland) Act 2014 came into effect last month giving parking attendants the power to confiscate a blue badge if it is being misused and to send the culprit's details to the Procurator Fiscal.

The tightening of the law was championed by blind Aberdeenshire West MSP Dennis Robertson who is a blue badge holder.

He suggested society should not tolerate fit and able people using disabled badges - even if collecting something for a disabled person.

Mr Robertson pointed out lack of a disabled parking space may force some disabled people to return home rather than get to work or enjoy a social life.

Deprive selfish motorists of either of those activities and they would be rioting in the street.

City councillor Alistair Watson has backed Glasgow's plan to back down on illegal use of blue badged pointing out motorists are breaking the law.

In a bid to drive the message home, city parking attendants are issuing leaflets to all vehicles parked in Glasgow displaying a blue badge. The leaflet outlines the new powers and what they mean for badge holders.

It would be good to think the risk of court action may force guilty drivers to change their habits.

They should count their blessings that they fit and well and able to walk that little bit further to get where they want to be.