Confusing parking signs baffle shoppers: Avoid traffic fines

Navigating the car park at your local shopping centre can be tricky, but throw in some new signage, and you might find yourself circling for a spot, scratching your head in bewilderment.

That's precisely what happened to shoppers at Harpley Town Centre in Wyndham City, Melbourne, when a series of cryptic icons appeared near the entrance to Coles.


The new symbols, which depict the universally recognised figures of a man and a woman – the kind you'd typically find on restroom doors – left many drivers confused.

With no clear explanation, shoppers were left to guess who the designated parking bays were intended for.


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New parking signs at Harpley Town Centre confused drivers about their meaning. Credit: 7News / YouTube


Was it for parents, couples without children, or vehicles with more than one occupant? The speculation was rife, and the uncertainty was palpable.

One shopper, who had come to the centre with his family, remarked, 'It's different. I've never seen it before. I'm not really sure what it's for.'

‘I assumed it was for parents.’


Another driver, boldly parked in one of the mysterious spaces, thought they were for cars with multiple passengers.

Meanwhile, a passerby speculated it could be a standing zone for shoppers waiting for a ride.

'I've got no idea what it means.' the driver said.

The enigma was eventually unravelled by the centre's operations manager, Ian McKenzie, who clarified that the bays were reserved for the elderly.

'It can be a man or a woman. It's actually meant to show somebody that's a bit elderly,' he said.


‘Not all elderly people have walking sticks, and some people might be offended.’

However, the good intentions behind the signage were lost in translation without proper context.

Recognising the oversight, McKenzie assured that new signs with clear explanations would be installed shortly.

‘Just hang on for a couple of days until we get the signage up,’ he urged.

You can watch the news here:



Similarly, a shopping centre in Tasmania has implemented parking spots featuring double lines, offering extra space that allows car doors to open fully without touching neighbouring vehicles.

The innovative design has earned praise from numerous Australian drivers for minimising door dings and promoting improved parking etiquette. Learn more about this initiative here.
Key Takeaways

  • New parking signage at Harpley Town Centre in Wyndham City confused drivers, with many unsure of what the icons indicated.
  • The icons, resembling the universally recognised symbols for a man and a woman, led to various interpretations from shoppers on who the parking bays were intended for.
  • The centre’s operations manager eventually clarified that the designated bays were for the elderly, pointing out that not all elderly individuals use walking sticks, and they did not want to offend.
  • New signs with clearer explanations of the parking bays will be installed soon to alleviate confusion.
Have you come across any puzzling parking signs during your outings? How do you feel about using universal icons to represent elderly parking? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
 
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A chap I know got out of his car in designated senior parking. He was immediately abused by a younger woman. That's for seniors, she said don't be so selfish. His reply was I am a senior. Not to be outdone, she said, you have a Bunnings uniform on, you clearly work. Yes, I do, he said, seniors are allowed to work, and it doesn't say for retired seniors, does it. :confused:
 
Some shopping centers have parking for seniors which actual says "seniors" I don't know why signs have to be so difficult. There aren't enough of them. The car parking in Tasmania with the double lines is already up here in Queensland at Costco north of Brisbane and one of the new Coles supermarkets which opened a few months ago - great idea and now all of those horrendous cars as big as a truck park in them they are needed even more everywhere.
But as Greg350 said when do you become a senior?
 
Re the "stroller" parking areas some places you have to have a special sticker on windscreen or card you hang on mirror on place on dash. I can't remember which it is.
 
What's wrong with the disabled blue/white sign everybody recognises. As for the above sign, it doesn't take much to offend people if it has a walking stick or not. Get a life
 
How the hell are they going to police this?????

You can get an extra hour on the time limit by visiting the centre manager, showing them your pensioner card and providing them with your car registration number.
 
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Why are some people so offensive when they reply? If you can't behave please but out of the conversation as you are very rude.
This person does it all the time, I was a target previously, as well as others.
 
Invalid parking places are governed by law and fines are applicable if you park in one without a permit.
Disabled spots yes as they come under the road rules for each state. Parents with prams and Seniors parking have no mention in the road rules and are not enforceable.
 
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