Driver’s defence against $644 parking fine ‘not good enough’, disability advocate asserts
- Replies 13
In the heart of urban life, where parking woes are commonplace, a hefty $644 penalty imposed on a Sydney resident has sparked a significant argument.
Kate Meller found herself at the centre of controversy after receiving a staggering $644 parking fine for occupying a disabled parking spot.
While Meller argued that she had no alternative due to an emergency situation, disability advocates and online critics were not pleased with her excuse.
Meller recounted the circumstances that led to her controversial parking decision, emphasising the urgency of the situation.
A month before, she rushed to assist a friend after getting an urgent call that her friend had gone into labour, requiring the woman’s husband to be present—leaving their two-year-old unattended.
After arriving at her friend’s home in Randwick, Meller parked in a disabled bay around 3:45 pm as there were no other available parking spaces left.
She said that despite her explanation of the urgent circumstances, Revenue NSW rejected her appeal to contest the fine.
‘I had to help my friend. She needed care for her son,’ Meller told The Daily Telegraph.
‘I was in crisis mode. It was a safe spot. That fine is more than twice as much as a no stopping zone. I was shocked by the amount—it’s grotesque.’
In response to the public outcry, The Daily Telegraph’s ‘advocacy’ led to the fine being revoked and reduced to a caution.
However, opinions remained divided.
While some sympathised with Meller’s predicament, others, including disability advocate and wheelchair user James Wood, criticised her decision deeming it ‘not cool’.
‘People need to understand the reason for those car spaces is that someone with a disability parking permit can't walk or push a wheelchair long distances,’ he said.
‘If I had to visit the place where she was parked and couldn't find a spot, then saw her there I would have said something.’
‘If she gave the excuse that her friend was in labour I'd have told her “not good enough”,’ he added.
However, Wood acknowledged that in cases of genuine medical emergencies, exceptions could still be made.
‘If it's a genuine medical issue I'm actually OK for them to park in a wheelchair spot. I mean if someone was having a baby, heart attack, or any other serious medical condition then the priority is for the health and safety of the person,’ he explained.
Recently, there was another issue concerning disabled parking spots. A 71-year-old man struggled to get into his car after a vehicle parked in between his and another car in the disabled parking spot.
You can read more about this story here.
Key Takeaways:
Do you think her reason is enough for parking at a disabled parking spot? What do you think about the fine imposed on her? Let us know in the comments below!
Kate Meller found herself at the centre of controversy after receiving a staggering $644 parking fine for occupying a disabled parking spot.
While Meller argued that she had no alternative due to an emergency situation, disability advocates and online critics were not pleased with her excuse.
Meller recounted the circumstances that led to her controversial parking decision, emphasising the urgency of the situation.
A month before, she rushed to assist a friend after getting an urgent call that her friend had gone into labour, requiring the woman’s husband to be present—leaving their two-year-old unattended.
After arriving at her friend’s home in Randwick, Meller parked in a disabled bay around 3:45 pm as there were no other available parking spaces left.
Disabled parking spot reserved for persons with disabilities.
Credit: Shutterstock
Credit: Shutterstock
She said that despite her explanation of the urgent circumstances, Revenue NSW rejected her appeal to contest the fine.
‘I had to help my friend. She needed care for her son,’ Meller told The Daily Telegraph.
‘I was in crisis mode. It was a safe spot. That fine is more than twice as much as a no stopping zone. I was shocked by the amount—it’s grotesque.’
In response to the public outcry, The Daily Telegraph’s ‘advocacy’ led to the fine being revoked and reduced to a caution.
However, opinions remained divided.
While some sympathised with Meller’s predicament, others, including disability advocate and wheelchair user James Wood, criticised her decision deeming it ‘not cool’.
‘People need to understand the reason for those car spaces is that someone with a disability parking permit can't walk or push a wheelchair long distances,’ he said.
‘If I had to visit the place where she was parked and couldn't find a spot, then saw her there I would have said something.’
‘If she gave the excuse that her friend was in labour I'd have told her “not good enough”,’ he added.
However, Wood acknowledged that in cases of genuine medical emergencies, exceptions could still be made.
‘If it's a genuine medical issue I'm actually OK for them to park in a wheelchair spot. I mean if someone was having a baby, heart attack, or any other serious medical condition then the priority is for the health and safety of the person,’ he explained.
Recently, there was another issue concerning disabled parking spots. A 71-year-old man struggled to get into his car after a vehicle parked in between his and another car in the disabled parking spot.
You can read more about this story here.
Key Takeaways:
- A woman named Kate Meller deemed her $644 fine ‘grotesque’ after parking her car at a disabled parking spot to help a friend going into labour.
- Revenue NSW rejected her appeal against the fine but when The Daily Telegraph advocated on her behalf, the fine was revoked and reduced to a caution.
- Disability advocate James Wood criticised her decision saying it’s ‘not cool’ and her excuse is ‘not good enough’.
- Wood acknowledged that while he criticised her decision, exceptions for parking at a disabled parking spot can still be made for ‘genuine’ medical emergencies.
Do you think her reason is enough for parking at a disabled parking spot? What do you think about the fine imposed on her? Let us know in the comments below!
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