Motorist Illegally Parked in Apartment Driveway

LHungryTotoro on 13/02/2018 - 11:57
Last edited 13/02/2018 - 12:37 by 1 other user

I live in an apartment complex that is on an adjacent street to a train station.

Yesterday I came home to find a car that had just turned into our driveway that leads down to our lock up garages and thus totally blocked both access in and out of the complex. There was ample street parking within plain sight and in fact, I parked on the street in this instance because I was going out later but every other day I would have driven down the driveway to my garage.

It really frustrated me and though it may be a common occurrence for strata complexes near train lines I felt compelled to go and speak to the driver (nicely).

I did not raise my voice but told her she was not allowed to park her and that there was plenty of street parking available and to "move her car please". She did not seem to think it was a big deal/anything wrong since she was "just waiting for someone" presumably from the station. I further emphasised that I lived there and due to her (illegal) park, I could not get in and to again move her car please.

NO apology from her and I just ended up going inside my unit but felt quite annoyed and frustrated.

Have others felt this way too? And I know there probably isn't anything we can do to "force them" haha, but even contacting some authorities would've really be worth it either given they'd probably leave "soon". What would you have done?

I think if I wanted to be even firmer I would have stood there and made sure she moved her car but alas this time I went inside and gave the benefit of the doubt.

Automotive

Comments

  • spackbace on 13/02/2018 - 12:01
    +1

    I think if I wanted to be even firmer

    Yep, coz that would be a smart thing to do when she now knows where you live…

    • HungryTotoro on 13/02/2018 - 12:23

      haha, I wasn't gonna pick a fight with her but just wanted her to know I was serious and that she should move. She was clearly in the wrong (intentionally or not) but I wasn't going to be unreasonable about it.

  • PissLUR on 13/02/2018 - 12:02
    +2

    stopped or parked? as long as the driver is still in the car. use your car horn and take it easy.

    • HungryTotoro on 13/02/2018 - 12:20

      yeah she was still sitting in her car, couldn't recall if the engine was on but if it was it wasn't loud. Probably next time I'll indicate to go in and honk to get her out.

      Don't get me wrong , I wasn't angry for the whole evening or anything like that. I'm chilled now:)

  • toniyellow on 13/02/2018 - 12:09
    +4

    Take a photo of her car, report through this app http://www.snapsendsolve.com/

    You're right it is unlikely the rangers will come quick enough if she is idling waiting for someone. But seeing you take a photo of her car might move her into action. Knowing you did something will probably chill you out a bit.

    If a bunch of reports pile up for the same street, the council will know it is an ongoing problem. Will they use that info to do anything? Hard to know. But at least they will have data on it.

    • HungryTotoro on 13/02/2018 - 12:26

      cheers, can give it a go for the future. I was curious of what options there were to rightfully report where feasible :)

  • dcep on 13/02/2018 - 12:24
    +2

    clamp it

  • dasher86 on 13/02/2018 - 12:25
    +11

    she was just waiting for a mate…

  • iforgotmysocks on 13/02/2018 - 12:30
    +1

    Motorist

    I'm a motorist!

  • bobbified on 13/02/2018 - 12:30
    +6

    told her she was not allowed to park her(e) and that there was plenty of street parking available and to "move her car please".

    I often find that a person's choice of words matter a lot, especially when speaking to strangers. The authoritative tone often results in some kind of resistance. No-one really likes being told that they're "not allowed", or "can't" or "have" to do something.

    I find that people tend to comply more often if you make them feel like it's them making the decision (even though they're not really). For example "Excuse me, do you mind moving your car a little further down so that you're not blocking the driveway?"

    I don't condone what this driver was doing - it's definitely annoying for someone who comes along and wants to use the driveway. But having said that, she was there in her car and I think it's safe to assume that, had you shown your intention (by turning towards or indicating) to the driveway, she would have moved her car anyway. But at the time of this incident, you had already parked on the street and you were on foot, so there really was no inconvenience to you.

    • slow on 13/02/2018 - 13:45
      +2

      Agree, I often stop in front of a driveway when I pick my kids up from school (I don't leave the car) as there is nowhere to park. If I see someone coming along needing access (which i don't think has ever happened) I would just move - no big deal and no harm caused. There is a big difference between parking and waiting in your car.

      If someone confronted me aggressively I am sure I would politely suggest that they take a chill pill.

      • Findo on 13/02/2018 - 19:50
        +3

        Road rule 198 (2) Stop on/across driveway/other access to/from land (school zone) attracts a $330 fine and 2 demerit points in NSW. Victorians have it better where drivers can block or partially block driveways to pick up or set down passengers for less than two minutes.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/02/2018 - 12:49
    +1

    Tell the police

    • kahn on 13/02/2018 - 19:13
      +3

      Hi thanks for contacting ozbargain police force.
      Your event number is: OZB1D10T

  • try2bhelpful on 13/02/2018 - 13:08

    maybe next time ask her to move because you want to get our car into your parking spot. Some people are real tossers at times, but if you ask nicely, and give her a reason, she might move her caboose.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/02/2018 - 13:29
    +8

    next time park them in so they can't leave

  • Randxyz123 on 13/02/2018 - 13:35

    Does your building not have a security number to call for these things? Even if you go through the body corporate office. Tell them you can’t get into your car port.

    If all else fails I’d have driven in with my car, and honked for her to move.

  • chumlee on 13/02/2018 - 13:36
    +3

    Stick up banana up the exhaust pipe. Worked for Axle Foley

    • kiitos on 14/02/2018 - 15:30
      +1

      Nah, she ain't fallin' for no banana in no tail pipe!

  • pegaxs on 13/02/2018 - 16:13
    +4

    Park your car in behind hers, get out, lock it and go inside. You have more right to park it there than what she does.

    If she asks what you are doing as you walk off, just tell her that someone is blocking the driveway and you'll be back when the car is gone.

  • Nutrino on 13/02/2018 - 17:17

    Egg

  • Toons on 13/02/2018 - 17:23

    Parking on common property especially if it's a R.O.W not allowed to block, can be dealt with by council rangers they love ticketing and towing cars, or your apartment complex strata can issue clamping notices and enforcement.

  • jjjaar on 14/02/2018 - 07:57
    +6

    Throw on a high vis vest and start taking photos of nearby cars. She'll move very quickly.

  • SlickMick on 14/02/2018 - 10:16

    I don't see the problem. If you or anyone else wanted to get in or out, I'm sure she would have moved, let you pass, then return.

    I used to park across driveways waiting for 9am when I was allowed park in an adjacent street. Usually I would be watching for anybody wanting to come out and move before I was a nuisance, but once I had to be tooted. Not an issue as far as I'm concerned.

    There are a lot of worse things in life. We need to learn to be cooperative, especially with minor things like this.

  • askme69 on 14/02/2018 - 11:31
    +1

    You should have parked your car, took down her rego, locked it and walked away.

    • Tiller76 on 14/02/2018 - 11:49

      I would add the words "right behind her car" just before that first comma……

  • Candour on 14/02/2018 - 13:15

    I had a similar problem in punchbowl nsw. when I tooted the car so I could get in the woman got aggressive. then her 'brother' in the next block came and started screaming at me.
    the cops came later after I complained and one of them spoke to him.
    recently a surgeon in a victorian hospital died because he asked some smokers to move from the smoke free area. the other party is claiming self defence!

    it would be best to call the cops each time. worked for us. or council. but they may say it is on your property.

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