‘Please be more considerate’: The photo that has Melbourne shoppers fuming
- Replies 49
Finding a parking spot can be a challenge, especially in busy shopping centres, but some choices go beyond mere convenience and into outright disregard for others.
One Melbourne shopper recently exposed a parking incident that has ignited frustration online.
Many are now calling for stricter action against those who misuse accessible spaces.
Securing a parking spot at a shopping centre can be a test of patience, but some drivers take their search too far, disregarding rules meant to ensure accessibility for those who need it most.
A Melbourne shopper recently called out a motorist for their ‘inappropriate’ parking, sharing an image online to highlight the issue and spark a conversation about consideration in public spaces.
The photo showed a car parked in the middle of two designated accessible parking bays, blocking the space meant for safe entry and exit.
The post explained that these areas, officially known as Designated Accessible Parking Bays (DAPBs), are specifically designed to help people with disabilities access the community.
‘The DAPBs with two vehicle parking bays are separated by an area with painted hash lines on it and usually a large steel yellow pole to prevent vehicles entering. This is known as the shared area and no vehicles are to park there. This allows safe access to the vehicle and the community. The photo shows totally inappropriate parking,’ the user wrote.
They pointed out that while the vehicles in the DAPBs had the correct permits, the car in the shared area appeared to have been parked by someone who simply saw an open space and took it.
‘This prevented people who need more space to access their vehicles or the shops. Please be more considerate and think of others,’ they added.
The post resonated with many, with commenters expressing frustration over how common this issue had become.
‘Infuriating. My mum is in a wheelchair and having recently become her carer, I never realised how difficult it was to find accessible parking. There’s never enough spaces. And then there’s selfish twats like this to make it even harder for people,’ one person wrote.
Another shared a personal experience, admitting they once made a similar mistake but quickly changed their behaviour after learning why these spaces exist.
‘I’ve ridden motorbikes for a really long time and when I first started riding, I’d park wherever the hell I wanted to. When I parked in one of these striped sections once, someone came over to me and explained why they existed: to give the disabled space next to them room for wheelchairs and just to manage a big car often used for that. Totally changed my mindset and now I yell at other motorbikes and scooters (UberEats scooters are objectively the worst offenders) when they do it,’ they said.
Some were more direct about what they thought should happen to the driver.
‘I don’t vouch for towing a car, but this person deserves to get their car towed,’ one comment read.
‘Notify centre management and have them towed,’ another agreed.
Accessible parking bays are meant to provide ease of movement for those who require additional space, but when drivers ignore the rules, they make an already limited resource even scarcer.
In a previous story, another parking dispute made headlines when a driver didn’t take too kindly to a fine left on their vehicle.
Their reaction sparked debate over whether the penalty was justified or an overreach.
Read more about the heated exchange that had everyone talking.
Parking etiquette can make a big difference, especially for those who rely on accessible spaces.
Have you ever encountered a situation like this at your local shopping centre?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
One Melbourne shopper recently exposed a parking incident that has ignited frustration online.
Many are now calling for stricter action against those who misuse accessible spaces.
Securing a parking spot at a shopping centre can be a test of patience, but some drivers take their search too far, disregarding rules meant to ensure accessibility for those who need it most.
A Melbourne shopper recently called out a motorist for their ‘inappropriate’ parking, sharing an image online to highlight the issue and spark a conversation about consideration in public spaces.
The photo showed a car parked in the middle of two designated accessible parking bays, blocking the space meant for safe entry and exit.
Shopper slams driver for ‘inappropriate’ parking. Image source: Reddit
The post explained that these areas, officially known as Designated Accessible Parking Bays (DAPBs), are specifically designed to help people with disabilities access the community.
‘The DAPBs with two vehicle parking bays are separated by an area with painted hash lines on it and usually a large steel yellow pole to prevent vehicles entering. This is known as the shared area and no vehicles are to park there. This allows safe access to the vehicle and the community. The photo shows totally inappropriate parking,’ the user wrote.
They pointed out that while the vehicles in the DAPBs had the correct permits, the car in the shared area appeared to have been parked by someone who simply saw an open space and took it.
‘This prevented people who need more space to access their vehicles or the shops. Please be more considerate and think of others,’ they added.
The post resonated with many, with commenters expressing frustration over how common this issue had become.
‘Infuriating. My mum is in a wheelchair and having recently become her carer, I never realised how difficult it was to find accessible parking. There’s never enough spaces. And then there’s selfish twats like this to make it even harder for people,’ one person wrote.
Another shared a personal experience, admitting they once made a similar mistake but quickly changed their behaviour after learning why these spaces exist.
‘I’ve ridden motorbikes for a really long time and when I first started riding, I’d park wherever the hell I wanted to. When I parked in one of these striped sections once, someone came over to me and explained why they existed: to give the disabled space next to them room for wheelchairs and just to manage a big car often used for that. Totally changed my mindset and now I yell at other motorbikes and scooters (UberEats scooters are objectively the worst offenders) when they do it,’ they said.
Some were more direct about what they thought should happen to the driver.
‘I don’t vouch for towing a car, but this person deserves to get their car towed,’ one comment read.
‘Notify centre management and have them towed,’ another agreed.
Accessible parking bays are meant to provide ease of movement for those who require additional space, but when drivers ignore the rules, they make an already limited resource even scarcer.
In a previous story, another parking dispute made headlines when a driver didn’t take too kindly to a fine left on their vehicle.
Their reaction sparked debate over whether the penalty was justified or an overreach.
Read more about the heated exchange that had everyone talking.
Parking etiquette can make a big difference, especially for those who rely on accessible spaces.
Have you ever encountered a situation like this at your local shopping centre?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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