Aussies shocked by this questionable parking act near hospital
In the hustle and bustle of the city, finding a parking spot can be a daunting task, especially near busy hospitals. However, one driver devised a creative, albeit questionable, method to park their car and evade parking violations.
A Melbourne resident took to social media after noticing it when visiting a relative at Monash Health in Clayton.
The resident, who had been circling the block searching for a parking spot, stumbled upon the bewildering sight.
Two streets back from the hospital, a white Volkswagen Golf was parked behind a 'No Standing' sign. But what caught her eye was the missing number plate on the car.
The resident, who had passed the spot earlier, noted that the car hadn't been there before.
She shared the photo on social media, sparking a flurry of reactions.
'If the car owner's intention was to avoid a parking ticket by removing the plate, kudos to them for their creativity,' she stated.
'There is a bit of larrikin in all of us that wants to see the underdog triumph,’ she added.
She spotted the car on the corner of Fregon Road and Murray Street, just a few minutes walk from Clayton Police Station.
Instead of being annoyed or irritated, the resident expressed understanding. She pointed out the high cost of parking at the hospital's multi-level car park, especially for frequent visitors.
‘What if the driver wanted to visit someone at Monash Health, but the only way to park close by and avoid a fine was to remove their number plate? Perhaps the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on their dashboard was also obscured,’ the resident shared.
‘Having a family member that is seriously unwell gives you perspective, so the parking infringement is low on my list of priorities. Also, l don't know the person's circumstances as to why they parked illegally with no number plate visible.’
The incident sparked a debate online, with some applauding the driver's sneaky move while others warned of its potential consequences.
'Great idea for next time—remove your number plates, and they can’t book you,' one person wrote sarcastically.
Others pointed out the risk of the car being towed away and the difficulty of relocating it without the plates.
‘If a [police officer] spots it without plates, it will cop a fine all the same,’ another commenter said.
Monash Mayor Nicky Luo weighed in, stating that the driver would have faced serious consequences if spotted.
‘“No stopping” parking zones ensure the safe movement of people using our roads,' Ms Luo said. 'If a parking enforcement officer had seen this car parked in this spot, a fine would have been issued.'
It's unclear whether the Volkswagen driver was driving without number plates or had removed them intentionally to avoid a fine. In any case, both actions are illegal.
Most states also fine drivers if their licence plate is dirty, obscured, or illegible.
The Vic Roads website states that all registered vehicles must display number plates visible from a distance of 20 metres.
In Victoria, the fine for driving with an obscured licence plate is $110; in New South Wales, it's much higher at $464.
What are your thoughts on this parking technique, members? Have you ever struggled to find parking near a hospital? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below.
A Melbourne resident took to social media after noticing it when visiting a relative at Monash Health in Clayton.
The resident, who had been circling the block searching for a parking spot, stumbled upon the bewildering sight.
Two streets back from the hospital, a white Volkswagen Golf was parked behind a 'No Standing' sign. But what caught her eye was the missing number plate on the car.
The resident, who had passed the spot earlier, noted that the car hadn't been there before.
She shared the photo on social media, sparking a flurry of reactions.
'If the car owner's intention was to avoid a parking ticket by removing the plate, kudos to them for their creativity,' she stated.
'There is a bit of larrikin in all of us that wants to see the underdog triumph,’ she added.
She spotted the car on the corner of Fregon Road and Murray Street, just a few minutes walk from Clayton Police Station.
Instead of being annoyed or irritated, the resident expressed understanding. She pointed out the high cost of parking at the hospital's multi-level car park, especially for frequent visitors.
‘What if the driver wanted to visit someone at Monash Health, but the only way to park close by and avoid a fine was to remove their number plate? Perhaps the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on their dashboard was also obscured,’ the resident shared.
‘Having a family member that is seriously unwell gives you perspective, so the parking infringement is low on my list of priorities. Also, l don't know the person's circumstances as to why they parked illegally with no number plate visible.’
The incident sparked a debate online, with some applauding the driver's sneaky move while others warned of its potential consequences.
'Great idea for next time—remove your number plates, and they can’t book you,' one person wrote sarcastically.
Others pointed out the risk of the car being towed away and the difficulty of relocating it without the plates.
‘If a [police officer] spots it without plates, it will cop a fine all the same,’ another commenter said.
Monash Mayor Nicky Luo weighed in, stating that the driver would have faced serious consequences if spotted.
‘“No stopping” parking zones ensure the safe movement of people using our roads,' Ms Luo said. 'If a parking enforcement officer had seen this car parked in this spot, a fine would have been issued.'
It's unclear whether the Volkswagen driver was driving without number plates or had removed them intentionally to avoid a fine. In any case, both actions are illegal.
Most states also fine drivers if their licence plate is dirty, obscured, or illegible.
The Vic Roads website states that all registered vehicles must display number plates visible from a distance of 20 metres.
In Victoria, the fine for driving with an obscured licence plate is $110; in New South Wales, it's much higher at $464.
Key Takeaways
- An Aussie motorist's parking technique near a Melbourne hospital sparked an online debate, with a photo showing a white Volkswagen Golf parked behind a ‘No Standing’ sign without visible number plates.
- The local resident who captured the image mentioned the high cost of hospital parking and the challenges faced by frequent visitors, suggesting a degree of understanding towards the driver's actions.
- Monash Mayor Nicky Luo emphasised that the car would have received a fine if spotted by Parking Enforcement Officers, as 'No stopping' zones are crucial for safe road use.
- It was highlighted that driving without a number plate is illegal in all Australian states, with fines for obscured or missing plates ranging from $110 in Victoria to $464 in NSW, according to the respective states' laws.
What are your thoughts on this parking technique, members? Have you ever struggled to find parking near a hospital? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below.