Driving your car is helpful for getting around town quickly, and is often preferred for its increased convenience.

But, if you are a regular driver, you’ll know that finding a spot can be quite a challenge.

To make the most of street parking, it’s always worth familiarising yourself with local regulations, as well as being aware of parking limits wherever you’re parked.

That said, don’t panic too much — road regulations are designed to ensure safety for all and your convenience, clear signs are placed to help you follow the rules.

However, what happens when there are no signs indicating that parking is off-limits? Would it be safe to assume that it’s okay to park?

That’s exactly what one NSW driver in Bondi was wondering after she inadvertently parked her rental car too close to her destination’s dividing line.

Despite her claim that there were no road markings or signs in the area, she was hit with a whopping $849 fine.

Yes, you read that right!

The woman took to social media to warn others from making the same mistake. Image Credit: Facebook

It turns out that she was fined $283 thrice for the following offence as detailed on her last fine: ‘parallel park close to dividing line/strip’.

The woman said she had no idea she was even fined in the first place (or the second and third, apparently) until the owner of the rental car she used to drive and park reached out to her about the fine.

‘(The parking rangers) went straight to the (Service NSW) app of the registered owner and it wasn’t until they left the physical paper ticket ... that I was made aware of this,’ she shared to a local Facebook group.

‘So now I have nearly $900 worth of fines for this.’

One thing she was quick to highlight is that she didn’t see any relevant signage telling her she wasn’t allowed to park at the front of the house she stayed in.

'There's no road or street signage, no yellow lines, no indication of any kind that you can't park here .... but it's not allowed,' she said, realising the hefty fines she had been hit with.

‘The dividing line (or strip) they are referring to are the white lines in the middle of the road ... and the rules state that you must be (three) metres away from these lines.’

‘Just wanted to make you aware of this rule as I had no idea, and all of the people I’ve asked haven’t heard of it either so don’t want others to get caught out.’

The 3-metre parking rule allows other vehicles enough space to pass. Image Credit: Flickr

Many took to the comments section to share their sympathies, especially as it didn’t look like there was much space to work with in the picture she shared along with her warning.

‘There should be a sign advising no stopping (or) making the road wider,’ a user said.

‘How have any roads even got 3-metre clearance! Especially in the inner West and Eastern (Bondi) suburbs,’ another said.

And there were those who felt she had to pay her due no matter how hefty the price was.

‘Yes that’s the rule, because (there) being double lines, cars cannot go over,’ a user explained. ‘So you’ll need (to) ... ensure the 3-metre (distance) is there, so cars have enough room to go around you without crossing the double lines.’

‘It’s the road rules, you’ll have to cop this one on the chin...’

And another added more bluntly: ‘Pay the fine (and) move on.’

Hopefully, she has an extra $849 lying around somewhere…

Key Takeaways

• An NSW driver received ‘nearly $900’ in fines for simply parking on the side of the road in what she claimed was an unsigned area.
  
• She was fined for parking too close to the dividing line.
  
• She says there was reportedly no street signage or any other indicator that cars were not allowed to park there.
  
• Many Facebook users also criticised the lack of signage, while others explained that the 3-metre rule applies because cars cannot go over double lines.

According to road rules posted by the NSW Government, drivers are indeed not allowed to park within 3 metres of any double-dividing street lines.

Drivers can also dispute fines in the state, and even nominate other drivers at fault in cases where other parties are involved. However, under the guidelines posted to help determine if a fine is contestable, it is noted that not seeing a sign isn’t among the grounds counted for leniency.

It is unclear whether the driver pursued further action after the fine.

The same rule is in effect in SA, QLD, TAS, NT, WA and VIC.

Well, after all, we’re all human, so there’s bound to be a road rule here and there that we have no clue about.

Here are some stories about some lesser-known road rules that could help save you from those nasty fines:

• Speeding up while being overtaken by another vehicle
• Honking your car’s horn when not necessary
• Eating while driving
• Parking in front of a residential home’s driveway
• Driving with unsecured cargo

When it comes to fines, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, even if you’re unaware of the law!

So, what are your thoughts on this? You probably know this rule already, but do you think the woman indeed had a case that she didn’t see any nearby sign prohibiting parking where she did? Why or why not?

Tell us your thoughts below!

 

[biribo]

Street and road planners have a lot to answer for. Whose stupid idea was it to put double lines down, what is obviously, a residential street?

 

[Aussie all the Way]

I think the 3 metres is the distance from the ends of the double lines, not the distance from the side of the car to the lines. This rule applies outside my sister’s house and has caught her guests several times. Please check because it sounds like respondents think the distance is measured from the side of the car to the middle of the road.

You are not allowed to park OPPOSITE DOUBLE OR SINGLE WHITE LINES there MUST always be enough room for a TRUCK to pass without going over the lines, it is a no brainer if you look at where those lines usually are, on hills, around bends, before intersections etc, it has to do with WIDTH not after the lines have finished.