Stricter controls have come into force around Rome to combat the misuse of parking permits for the disabled. The problem has arisen because relatives and friends continue to use these permits even after the death of the disabled person. A recent spot check on Via del Babuino in the historic centre of the city found that nearly half of the 50 parked cars were displaying a permit for the disabled, nine of which were registered to deceased people. 100 people have also been reported for displaying forged documents.

These permits are useful because a car that displays a disabled pass has access to the limited traffic zones in the historic centre of Rome, where entry and parking is normally restricted to people who live there. Nor do holders of such permits have to pay to use the blue parking areas around the city, and they can also travel freely along the lanes reserved for buses, taxis and the police.