Hilarious or Harsh? See How Aussies Are Taking Parking Justice Into Their Own Hands!

Parking etiquette, or the lack thereof, has long been a contentious issue on Australian streets and parking lots. It's a topic that can ignite heated debates among drivers, with many taking to social media to vent their frustrations over the parking habits of others. But it seems that some Australians are moving beyond mere online complaints and are getting more creative in their approach to shaming those they believe to be parking offenders.

Recently, an Australian staying at a motel shared a post about a note they discovered attached to an SUV. The note, which was described as 'pathetic' by the person who found it, has sparked a mix of reactions online.



The incident unfolded as follows: 'Attended an interstate function over the weekend. Found this on the rear wiper of a fellow motel guest’s vehicle. The parking lot was only about half full,' the post explained. Accompanying the post was a photo of the white SUV, which was parked straddling a white line, effectively taking up two parking spaces. Tucked under the rear windscreen wiper was a printed note, complete with a picture of a turtle.


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Users were divided over the contents of this note stuck on an SUV parked at a motel. Credit: u/mickpatten78 / Reddit


The note's message was clear and tinged with humour: 'Many three-year-olds have trouble staying within the lines. Maybe if you practice colouring this turtle, it will help with your parking.'



The original poster of the note was quick to offer potential excuses for the SUV's driver, suggesting that they might have needed extra space for a mobility-impaired passenger or were forced to park that way due to another vehicle's poor parking. They also criticized the person who left the note, saying, 'Imagine being so pathetic you carry around these printouts with you when you travel.'

However, the online community largely disagreed with this sympathetic stance. Many responders sided with the note-leaver, expressing their frustration with the chronic parking problem in Australia. 'At least half the country is incapable of parking — public shaming is sadly the only solution,' one commenter opined. Another found humour in the situation, saying, 'Nah, this is funny, man; that dude parked like an idiot and needs practice.' A third person, who regularly transports individuals with mobility aids, pointed out that there are ways to accommodate passengers without resorting to inconsiderate parking.

Some even speculated that the hotel itself might have been responsible for the note, suggesting that it was a clever tactic to enforce parking rules.



This incident raises the question: Is public shaming an effective way to address poor parking habits? While some may see it as a harmless and humorous method to encourage better behaviour, others might view it as an unnecessary and harsh response to what could be an honest mistake.

Key Takeaways
  • People across Australia continue to be frustrated by poor parking habits, leading to public shaming on social media.
  • A note placed on an improperly parked SUV at a motel sparked division among Aussies, with opinions varying on the appropriateness of the action.
  • The note, featuring a picture of a turtle, humorously suggested the driver practise their parking skills by colouring within lines.
  • Responses to the parking note highlighted a mix of support for public shaming as a deterrent and consideration for potential reasons behind the poor parking job.

At the Seniors Discount Club, we understand that parking can be a tricky business, especially when mobility issues are involved. However, we also recognize the importance of courtesy and respect in shared spaces. So, what do you think, members? Is the turtle colouring note a hilarious way to make a point, or is it a step too far in the pursuit of parking justice? Have you ever encountered a similar situation, or perhaps left a note of your own? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below, and let's navigate the complex world of parking etiquette together!
 

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I require a wheelchair and regularly find that the access area marked with broad diagonal yellow lines as a no parking area regularly full. The most recent scenario involved a bright red Bentley and I approached the driver direct and explained why it is a no parking area. He ignored me totally and left the car park. He had five other options for parking. I posted the incident on Adelaide Hills Chat fb page and the driver was known to others and his “sense of entitlement” duly noted. If it happens again I will report to the local government after taking a photograph of his inexcusable parking behaviours and his number plate.
A flat screwdriver firmly applied to all of the Bentley's panel would teach the self entitled twat!

In about 2020 (I think), a BMW X7 was parked so close to me, I couldn't walk between my rear of my car and the BMW.

It's amazing how much damage a closed fist can do to a car bonnet! 👿
 
People just pull in and don't think about straigtening up ,I've many times not been able to open my car door fully or access my boot. Be great if a note like that worked but it won't as people are in too much of hurry and don't care. They belong to me first brigade
 
I have a walker my daughter in a wheelchair sometimes a little over the line needed. However we have a parking permit showing a reason for adding room if disabled parking taken.
Still thought it was clever though, I just would have laughed
 
Care to quote the legislation which deems leaving a note on someone's vehicle an offence?

Good luck trying to find one because no State in Australia has such laws. Just because YOU think it is an offence, doesn't make it one!

The only instance where it would be an offence is where damage is inflicted on the vehicle. Then it becomes a case of "malicious" or "wilful" damage.
I just checked and here is verification of my previous post.

 
When a lot of these motels, parking lots were built the lines were for smaller vehicles, the numbers of SUV & larger vehicles have made parking much tighter, leading line encroachment.
 
When a lot of these motels, parking lots were built the lines were for smaller vehicles, the numbers of SUV & larger vehicles have made parking much tighter, leading line encroachment.
There are Australian Standards for parking contained in AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 - Parking facilities Part 1: Off-street car parking.

It states that a parking bay must be 5.4 metres long and 2.4 to 2.6 metres wide.

As far as I'm concerned, the owners of Ram and Chevrolet Silverado vehicles can go jump in the lake. They are not needed in Australia's suburbia.
 
Funny! A form of passive aggressiveness all the same! I don't come across this type of parking often, but when I do it is invariably caused by tiny parking spaces and larger cars like SUV's.
 
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There are Australian Standards for parking contained in AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 - Parking facilities Part 1: Off-street car parking.

It states that a parking bay must be 5.4 metres long and 2.4 to 2.6 metres wide.

As far as I'm concerned, the owners of Ram and Chevrolet Silverado vehicles can go jump in the lake. They are not needed in Australia's suburbia.
I so agree with you, these big arsed cars should be banned in the suburbs. I lost count of the amount of mums at the school runs in the mornings and afternoons that had one, one even had a pink hummer kit put on their car, she looked ridiculous. They can't park them either, I would find it entertaining watching them in shopping centre carparks trying to get those big arsed things into the parks, one of them took at least a half an hour, someone even stole it from under her nose, geez I laughed while she became irate..
Any person contemplating buying one of these monstrosities should be tested to make sure they can actually drive one, they're bush vehicles, not your everyday suburb cars!
 
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When such parking results in the inability to enter one's car, then it becomes an issue.

It's not pleasant getting into the driver's seat via the passenger side!
I can attest to this - woman driving Merc parked within 6" of my driver side. Could not get in that way, tried to get in through passenger side but with a Holden Cruze & crook knee, no show. Had to wait 20mins until the stupid women finally came out. Must admit I gave her a gob full and she looked surprised!! In 72 years I have never committed an act of vandalism but I came bloody close that day.
 
I wish I had some of those print offs. I would be using them all the time. Can't stand when people are too lazy to reverse back and straighten their car up. I would like to see people being fined for their laziness.
Also if it is illegal to leave a note under the wipers, does that mean you can't leave a note with your name and details on it if you hit another vehicle whilst the driver is not there? Food for thought
 
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I wish I had some of those print offs. I would be using them all the time. Can't stand when people are too lazy to reverse back and straighten their car up. I would like to see people being fined for their laziness.
Also if it is illegal to leave a note under the wipers, does that mean you can't leave a note with your name and details on it if you hit another vehicle whilst the driver is not there? Food for thought
It's not illegal to leave a note, unless it is overtly threatening and the "perpetrator" is actually found. Then again, what constitutes threatening? Very subjective.
 
If the Drivers side of the offending car is over the white line, you park
as close as possible to that car, so when the driver comes back to his car he has to enter through the passenger door.
Then climb over the console to the driver's seat, it's a bit difficult to do in most cars.
That should annoy the driver enough to make parking more proper in the future.
 
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Would you complain about this person's parking "skills"?

Taking up five parking spaces where they could have used two by parking perpendicularly.

View attachment 65776

Taken on Boxing Day 2024.
The ones who annoy me are when they half park in the the one behind them and don’t fully park in the one intended, I have seen vehicles parked half out .of the parks , makes you wonder how some of these people got their license in the first place.
 
The ones who annoy me are when they half park in the the one behind them and don’t fully park in the one intended, I have seen vehicles parked half out .of the parks , makes you wonder how some of these people got their license in the first place.
We see it everyday as we overlook a supermarket carpark next door to us in Perth. The photo I posted of the dude taking up five car spaces with his ute and trailer is that exact carpark.

More photos to come. There's no shortage of them!
 
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There are Australian Standards for parking contained in AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 - Parking facilities Part 1: Off-street car parking.

It states that a parking bay must be 5.4 metres long and 2.4 to 2.6 metres wide.

As far as I'm concerned, the owners of Ram and Chevrolet Silverado vehicles can go jump in the lake. They are not needed in Australia's suburbia.
Burnside bulldozers as they are known as in S.A. I’m also aware of Toorak tractors and I assume other states have their pet definitions for these oversized vehicles. When they park they hang over the ends of the speed humps that run through the car park and my wheelchair won’t go over the speed humps and I have no capacity to go around them 🤬🤬
 
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If the Drivers side of the offending car is over the white line, you park
as close as possible to that car, so when the driver comes back to his car he has to enter through the passenger door.
Then climb over the console to the driver's seat, it's a bit difficult to do in most cars.
That should annoy the driver enough to make parking more proper in the future.
I love the way you think 🤔
 
Absolutely love the sticker, there are too many inconsiderate thoughtless drivers around who think they can do what they want, it's not an innocent mistake, people can see how they park and if it's outside the lines they just shrug their shoulders and walk off. I want a wad of these stickers to use, I think they are great and funny. We seem to have too many excuses for bad behaviour these days, therefore no one really cares what they do because they think they have the right to do it. Bad inconsiderate parking comes from inconsiderate people's attitudes
Parking is just one more symptom of generalised lack of respect for others, and for the facilities that are provided. You can add littering, leaving public toilets filthy, walking in public with ear phone in and just expecting traffic to give way, and I could continue!
 
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I remember the days when a driver may open his car door to make sure they are within the parking bay. Then there were the drivers who used to reverse into a bay with the door ajar looking at the line to be sure they were inside the white line.
I reverse with the side mirrors but will regularly open my door to ascertain l am in my bay & make adjustments if needed.

Reversing Cameras on new cars should avoid the problem of reversing a car & remaining within the white lines.

Some parking bays, in accordance with narrower cars, have been made ridiculously narrower, to the point it is impossible to open a car door without making contact with the car next to you.
 
Would you complain about this person's parking "skills"?

Taking up five parking spaces where they could have used two by parking perpendicularly.

View attachment 65776

Taken on Boxing Day 2024.
How could they take up only 2? They would be blocking the entrance/exit which is illegal. If councils and shopping centres can’t cater for the huge increasing number of long vehicles to park then this is the only option.
 

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