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 One parking rule that doesn’t add up for Mark 

One parking rule that doesn’t add up for Mark

12 Mar, 2010 07:05 PM
MATHEMATICS teacher Mark Griffin is having a little trouble calculating the probability of being fined for breaking a law he never knew existed.

Mr Griffin was fined $141 earlier this week after traffic police found his Toyota Corolla parallel parked out the front of his Clinton Street home facing the wrong direction.

It is illegal to parallel park a vehicle facing oncoming traffic.

Cars must be parked in the direction of the traffic for safety reasons when leaving the kerb.

Mr Griffin said he had no idea what he did was an offence and suspects other residents might be similarly unaware.

He said the majority of his colleagues were also unaware of the rule when he told them about being issued with the fine.

The penalty notice was issued at 9.47pm on Monday night.

“I came out in the morning and saw the notice on the windscreen, read it and thought it was just ridiculous,” Mr Griffin said.

“I was surprised, I honestly did not know you weren’t allowed to do it.

“Granted, it’s not an excuse because I now know it definitely is illegal, but it’s just absurd being fined at that time of night.”

Mr Griffin now parks his car in the right direction.

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
Didn't realise the boys in blue only had to uphold the 'serious' crimes. Come around where I live and you'd get a bit more revenue!
Posted by DK, 18/03/2010 11:39:24 PM, on Central Western Daily
Hey, that's how I use roundabouts! If everyone drives like this what's the problem A Realist?
Posted by Bryan, 17/03/2010 8:23:00 AM, on Central Western Daily
Hey Wayne, Is it not the right way to use a 2 lane roundabout by approchin in the middle of the 2 lanes or if your nice just the right lane, cutting to the right lane on the roundabout then zipping over into the left lane on exit. All without the use of any mirrors or looking out your window. Well thats at least how most of the people around here do it. And if you happen to be in the left lane and near get taken out they get all up in arms becuase you give them a friendly toot and wave to let them know you have flat spotted your tyres to avoid them.
Posted by A Realist, 15/03/2010 12:48:11 PM, on Central Western Daily
i think the essence of this is 1. CWD needs a story and sell a paper- any publicity is good publicty, how do the journos find out this info? and isnt there something worthwhile? 2. Police always want to make there presences felt -
Posted by SMICH, 15/03/2010 10:37:34 AM, on Central Western Daily
Wayne Kerr, the 'broken windows' theory holds that disorder causes crime. This view holds that minor traffic offences will reduce violent crimes. What research shows that parked in the wrong direction is an effective measure to combating more serious traffic offences or violent crimes. Perhaps the Police should be at every roundabout and pedestrian crossing, like Post Office Lane and book everyone jaywalking. Arresting, booking, processing and clogging our courts with minor offences or instead investigate violent crimes. Clearly, we should not be directing our scarce law enforcement dollars towards broken windows policing.
Posted by Taj, 14/03/2010 10:25:55 PM, on Central Western Daily
To be parked facing the wrong way means that you have had to drive on the wrong side of the road to get there. That's illegal. Similarly, you have to drive on then wrong side of the road when you leave. That's illegal also. That is why this law is in place. Have known about it since I got my licence 50 years ago. Also, red parking reflectors are on the rear of a vehicle so that one may see them in a parked position more easily at night. Park on the wrong side of the road your parked vehicle is not as easily seen because as there are no reflectors on the front. Think it's also illegal to park in a layback across the footpath, even if it is your own driveway. Reasons for that are obvious. I agree with most of the previous comments except Mav
Posted by johnny, 14/03/2010 9:26:49 PM, on Central Western Daily
I agree.. 9.45 at night? That's absurd in a quiet surburban street. I feel as though the law enforcments need to be reprioritising the way they use their time
Posted by Heath, 14/03/2010 8:51:17 PM, on Central Western Daily
It sounds as though you parked your car in your local quiet street and at 9.45pm at night the cops noticed it and decided to write you up a ticket.. question to the cops. don't you have anything better to do with your time?
Posted by Sandra, 14/03/2010 8:48:25 PM, on Central Western Daily
What I love is the fact he has parked the wrong way again for the photo. I think they should send him another fine. What a goose!
Posted by Charles, 14/03/2010 8:20:02 AM, on Central Western Daily
Taj, read up on the "broken window" theory of policing. Now that he's got a ticket for parking illegally, perhaps he will decide to read up on the other road rules and see if there are any others he doesn't know. If everyone in Orange did this then perhaps they'd know how to use a two-lane roundabout.
Posted by Wayne Kerr, 14/03/2010 7:52:14 AM, on Central Western Daily
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FINE MESS: Clinton Street resident Mark Griffin with the penalty notice he received for parking the wrong way outside his home. Photo: MARK LOGAN                                                                                              0311mlparking2
FINE MESS: Clinton Street resident Mark Griffin with the penalty notice he received for parking the wrong way outside his home. Photo: MARK LOGAN 0311mlparking2

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