Parking Fine Advice - Stopped Not Facing Direction of Travel

Hi OzBargins,

Today I recieved a parking fine for "Stopped not facing direction of travel"

I live off a small side street that has cars parked on both sides of the road and is wide enough so only 1 car at a time can travel down the middle of the road. The road has no centre line as well, so it acts as a 1 lane give way street.

Last night I parked on the right side of the road as it was where the avaliable carpark was. Instead of doing a three point turn (lazy yes i know) I parked my car in the opposite direction to the other cars.

This morning to my bewiderment I woke up with a fresh $99 fine on my windscreen citing "Stopped not facing direction of travel" (Road saftey road rules 2017 section 208 (1))

I did not even know this was a rule as my car was parked and not blocking anything.

I'm just wondering if you guys think there's any merit in contesting it (or asking for a warning/reduced fine)?

Comments

      • There are many instances of driving on the wrong side of the road. Overtake for example, U-turns, even turning right or driving in to a driveway.

        Whats the intent of the rule?

        • Well, I didn't draft it up, so don't ask me. I'm not entirely sure if there's an individual or a department that could tell you, either - you might get a department or judge to 'interpret' the intent for you, though of course others may interpret it other ways [which is why we have judges issuing dissenting rulings and several different 'levels' of law courts].

          Of course, knowing what the intent of the rule was when drafted doesn't alter whether it's an actual rule or not.

        • Your examples are permitted and expected to a degree, with priority assigned to one vehicle over the other depending on movement.

          Best ask the road rule authors if you have further questions or concerns about the rules.

  • Could have been fined for driving on the wrong side of the road!

    • -4

      HOW? theres only 1 lane on the road…

      • +1

        How about a Google map link to said road…

  • +5

    Contest and report back so I can add the results to my ozbargain spreadsheet.

    • -4

      oh im contesting, but can you please draw me up an MS paint diagram to use as evidence?

      • +4

        oh im contesting

        Just like Trump contested the 2020 election, and threw away a fortune doing so. 😝

      • Curious as to which bit you are contesting. You said you parked on the wrong side of the road. You got fined for parking on the wrong side of the road. Enlighten me to your line of defence?
        The Castle? The vibe of the thing?

    • Can you make us all a flow diagram of the different scenarios that you have collated on your spreadsheet? I ask you because MS Paint is your specialty.

  • +6

    OP's user name checks out.

  • Nope,
    Pay up bud

  • +2

    as its a narrow road, if it was in the middle of the night, bad lighting (unsure how well lit ur street is) and also what colour your car is
    it could cause an accident, no tail light reflectors

  • Is it a council or police fine?

    • +2

      Police don't issue parking infringements as far as I am aware

      • See MS Paint diagram here.

        • I was rushed and just assumed I was in the wrong 🤭

      • I saw a cop book a Merc parked in the disabled With no permit parking near my local copshop. They definatly do.

      • +2

        Police can and do issue both parking and traffic, council rangers can only do parking and other council infringements.

    • -6

      the fine revenue raising council of whitehorse

      • +1

        It's not "rEvEnUe rAiSiNg"… The laws are available for you to read. You got your license that says you will adhere to the rules you learned. It's more closely related to a toll. You wanted to park the wrong way around, so now you have to pay a toll… Traffic fines are optional… just like toll roads.

      • Here are the excuses City of Whitehorse won't accept, if you are thinking about contesting the fine -

        Being unaware of, not understanding or believing you are exempt from the Victorian Road Rules
        Believing that it is unconstitutional for a Council to issue a parking fine
        Being a resident, ratepayer or local employee (including hospital employees) or business owner
        Not noticing that parking restrictions have changed
        Not noticing, understanding, reading in full or forgetting to read a parking sign
        Being new to the area and unfamiliar with the parking restrictions, even if the driver is from Victoria, interstate or overseas
        Running out of petrol or experiencing vehicle issues that did not need immediate repair or towing
        Leaving the vehicle because you, or a passenger, needed to use the toilet
        Being on a restricted income or having insufficient funds to pay the fine/infringement.
        NOTE: Victorian legislation does not allow for student or pensioner discounts for fines. A payment arrangement is available in these cases allowing for an extension of time to pay the fine
        Being delayed at an appointment or being in a hurry (Example: medical appointments are often known to run late). Procedures can often take longer than expected. You must make an allowance for this when parking your car
        Having an excellent driving or parking record before the issuing of the fine
        Forgetting to move your car
        Finding nowhere else to park
        Parking or stopping for 'a short time' over the limit, in a permit zone without a permit, without paying for parking or in a no stopping zone.

  • You should appeal based on the fact that you have left-right confusion. Look it up, it's a real thing.

    • OP might lose his license :D

      • +6

        Well still a win! He'll have the fine revoked and will never receive a fine again

  • It is weird, in the UK and most of Europe this is acceptable but not in Australia.

    I’d write ,fully expecting to have to pay it but if you write in and they say no then you’ll get a extra month to pay it.

    • +2

      Still not legal at night in the UK unless in a marked parking bay.
      The Highway Code legally requires "You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space" (Rule 249) though only generally advises "do not park facing against the traffic flow" (Rule 239) during the day.

    • It is not legal because it is dangerous pulling out, the passenger side is on the street and you can put headlights on the same side of the road as oncoming traffic, to name a few reasons.

    • Yeah and in some European countries people touch park; try doing that here and see what happens.

  • +3

    This attitude of not knowing the rules, and thinking you don’t need to know them, is exactly why we need mandatory retesting every time licenses are renewed.

    People obviously only learn the rules to pass the initial exam, and never learn other rules. It’s becoming ridiculous.

  • +2

    Last night I parked on the right side of the road as it was where the avaliable carpark was. Instead of doing a three point turn (lazy yes i know) I parked my car in the opposite direction to the other cars.

    ok

    Today I recieved a parking fine for "Stopped not facing direction of travel"

    Seems valid then

    I did not even know this was a rule as my car was parked and not blocking anything.

    You do now.

    I'm just wondering if you guys think there's any merit in contesting it (or asking for a warning/reduced fine)?

    Ignorance or not knowing changes nothing.

      • +2

        However it is common sense

        Common sense is to park with the direction of the traffic. To park 'into' traffic as you did, means crossing the road into incoming traffic, also means its harder to get out as you are facing the flow of traffic and have to 'turn' around.

        you can say it is ignorance to this particular rule

        No ignorance here, I'm aware of the rule. The same as you can be fined for parking ON a nature strip instead of the road. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

        • -2

          But theres only 1 lane? the direction of traffic for the road goes both ways

          • +1

            @Angryman123: direction of travel has nothing to do with the amount of lanes.

  • -1

    I think the verdict is unanimous - what I want to know is, did we miss an opportunity to ask for a MS Paint diagram?

  • +3

    I did not even know this was a rule as my car was parked and not blocking anything.

    Hand over your licence please! Also, you can't just park everywhere because i'M nOt BloCKing AnYtHing!

    • -7

      haha if i am not blocking a path for a vehical and pedestrians, then tell me what is wrong without saying that its "aGaiNst tHe RuLes"

      If it was a 2 lane road, then yes i would agree that it is a saftey issue, however this is a 1 lane give way road and my view would not be obstructed.

      • I can't for the life of me see anything regarding one lane, two way roads in any of the road rules. Are you sure this is not a two lane, two way road with obstructions on both sides?

        If you can find any legislation discussing this type of road please share I'm interested in their reasoning for making them.

      • +3

        It's not that it's not unsafe or safe, it's that it's not permitted in the rules. One can park on the nature strip clear of the footpath and off the road - it might be safe in terms of not having impact, but it's still not permitted and will attract an infringement.

  • +2

    Now that OP doesn't get supported by the comments, the post will be unpublished by request due to shame.

    • +3

      DisabledUser301361…. in 3… 2.. 1.

  • +4

    I did not even know this was a rule

    That is no excuse…

    Learn the rules, or don't drive.

    • -4

      I was parked…..

      • +11

        In the wrong direction, on the wrong side of the road…

        How did you get your Learner's Permit without studying the rules?

        • I was parked facing the wrong way

          FTFY :D

  • +3

    Previous post, parked the wrong way but fined for different offence. Poster never got back to the thread with the result.

    Advice on How to Dispute a Parking Fine

  • +1

    I'm guessing your are international. This used to happen all the time in my street near University and the rangers would have a field day fining the international students.

  • +14

    It's illegal because you break the road rules to get into the car spot and you break them again to leave.

    The most dangerous part is the departing from the parking space portion as your body position relative to traffic compromises forward visibility as you are against the kerb.

    https://ibb.co/BtrHFxy

    In the image the green car parked correctly can see quite a long way in front whereas the red car is obstructed by the car in front. I'm going to make a wild assumption and say people can use their mirrors to see behind them so rear visibility is ok :/

    On top of that cars driving down the street towards you don't expect a car to pull out from the wrong side of the road and predictability is kind of key in the system.

    • I think this was the answer/reason we were looking for..

  • +3

    Denial

    Nah, don't need to write that, there's enough of it from the OP already lol

  • +9

    Last night I parked on the right side of the road as it was where the avaliable carpark was. Instead of doing a three point turn (lazy yes i know) I parked my car in the opposite direction to the other cars.

    This morning to my bewiderment I woke up with a fresh $99 fine on my windscreen citing "Stopped not facing direction of travel" (Road saftey road rules 2017 section 208 (1))

    What was the source of your bewilderment? That you got pinched for breaking the law, or that the parking officer didn't recognise your entitlement?

  • +2

    From the VicRoads site…
    Parallel parking
    If you are parallel parking within a marked parking space you must park:
    completely within the parking bay
    in line with and close to the kerb
    facing in the direction of vehicles on your side of the road.
    https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-r…

    In some ways it is a silly rule but there are many like that. Just pay up and move on. We have all had some silly fine at some time.

    • within a marked parking space

      technically would not be relevant due to this specific

      • well I opened the link:

        If you are parallel parking and there are no spaces marked, you must park:

        in line with and close to the kerb 
        **facing in the direction of vehicles on your side of the road
        leave at least 1 metre between your vehicle and those in front and behind you.**
        
  • +1

    Op… Don't worry. It's fine.

  • +2

    OP, you should write a letter asking for a review. Please use the same enthusiasm in the letter as you have here. Call out their "ReVeNuE rAiSiNg" and call them stupid for having such a dumb rule. Mention that you could still see down the road and call the parking inspector a maggot. I think I may even have a template you can use here…

  • -8

    I feel for you OP, personally i dont think you affected anyone but not really worth contesting. Of course all the virtue signalling boot licker sheep will come out in defense of laws that are not infallible

    • Lol…
      Applies for a license
      Learns the rules and passes test
      Agrees to terms and conditions about following said rules
      Breaks the road rules and gets fined
      “NoT fAiR”
      Gets told rules are easy to follow, so suck it up.
      “YoUsE aRe aLL jUsT bOOt LiCkErZ”

      • -5

        Lol can you show me these terms and conditions?

        Questions nothing
        Blindly accepts an increasingly authoritative society instead of taking personal responsibility
        WhY Are wE IN a NaNNy stAte?

        • +1

          can you show me these terms and conditions?

          Sure can… right here (For Victoria)

          Unlike the T&C’s for your latest iPhone update, your state authority actually makes you read the T&C’s and added to that, to make sure your have read them, they make you take a test to make sure you have read and that you understand them…

          And I don’t blindly accept the road rules, I have read through the whole thing. The best part is, if I don’t like any part of it, I can lobby government to change the rules. The other good thing about it is, if you don’t like the rules you don’t have to have a driver’s license, they are not mandatory, unless, you know, you want to play on the roads…

          • -3

            @pegaxs: Haha when have you ever lobbied against the governments rules?

            • +2

              @Angryman123: I have written to my local member and supported groups that have a little more clout than one person. A few things I have lobbied for are;

              Helmet standards laws to include ECE, SNELL and DOT helmets.
              Motorcycle muffler laws where bikes had to have only manufacture approved mufflers fitted where cars didn't have same restrictions.
              Lane filtering/splitting laws, on the grounds of safety and congestion easing.
              Helmet cam laws to allow motorcycle riders to wear helmet cams for their own safety.

              And a few others I cant think of right now…

              Of all of these, they have all passed except the helmet cam issue, but that is still being worked on.

              So, what have "you" lobbied for? Or do you just get stupidity/lazy tolls infringments and piss and moan on internet forums about "ReVeNuE rAiSiNg" ???

  • +1

    Stupid rule but yeah pay the fine

  • +6

    I was driving 180kph on the freeway, it was empty, I did not bother anyone but bloody copa gave me a ticket. I'm an Angryman now.

    • It maybe empty where your eye can see, but 1 mins from now some car can appear right before you, if you are driving that speed. You had it easy, should be a suspension straight away

      • -1

        But I did not bother anyone, the law is terrible, I am going to contest it in court.

  • In Australia, to know if you are breaking any rules just observe if you are doing it differently. In this instance, if all the cars are facing right and your are facing left you will know something is wrong here.

  • +1

    Write a letter. Say you're sorry. Ask for a warning. It will work once every 2 years for very minor traffic offences such as low level speeding (less than 10 km over).

  • +4

    There are no red reflectors on the front of a car. Another possible reason to add to the others.

  • +1

    It seems OP came here to validate their entitled outrage. Despite asking "I'm just wondering if you guys think there's any merit in contesting it…" When OP has repeatedly been told essentially 'No' that is in fact the law and it is expected you know and comply with the law OP just argues. Reading the comments clearly the overwhelming consensus is suck it up.

  • +2

    Obviously an April Fool gag that backfired on OP.

    Solicits opinions and fires up when they don't concur with their self opinionated views.

  • "I did not even know this was a rule as my car was parked and not blocking anything."

                         - Well now you do & anyone here that didn't does too. Sucks but not worth contesting it, you don't have a leg to stand on.
    
  • +2

    Here is another rule most people don't know about. It's illegal for an unregistered vehicle to be parked on the street. It must be parked on your property.

    • i did that and it got egged :(

    • Not 100% sure on that. I was under the belief it was allowed for less then 24hr and that even registered vehicles could be towed if unmoving for more than 7 days.

  • I used to do this all the time, that is of course until I found out its illegal. Never fined for it though.

  • +2

    I can see where the OP is coming from - the “spirit of the law” doesn’t so much apply to the scenario they’re describing as it does to a standard-width (or wider) street. If OP isn’t crossing to drive on the wrong side of the road (due to a narrow street), and their headlights won’t obstruct (i.e he will be equally blinding to either direction of traffic no matter which way the car faces) then this seems a punishment more in line with the “letter of the law” which is not something I personally agree with.

    In my view, laws are designed to prevent negative outcomes and/or promote positive outcomes. We don’t punish people for parking on the wrong side of the road; we punish them for the negative effects that parking on the wrong side of the road causes and, in OP’s case, it doesn’t seem like these negative effects eventuated (or are even all that possible).

    In saying that, it very much appears like OP is mad about being caught out about a rule they didn’t know, and masking it as purely because of the poor application of the law. Unfortunately, the “letter of the law” must exist to ensure they’re followable by the lowest common denominator, and partly necessary due to the size of our community; small insular communities can more easily manage “spirit of the law” issues, but I digress.

    Pay the fine and just accept that this is a flaw in an otherwise decent system (laws).

  • It is a light fine fortunately. I was approached by a very angry policeman in Canberra who advised me and my mother of driving on the wrong side of the road and telling me I could lose my license about this! The thing was ALL cars were facing the wrong way, as it was a new traffic arrangement at new shops, a similar situation to what you were describing. I asked the officer about the other vehicles. Yes, they should all loose their license he said.

    When parking spaces are rare and you can't just turn around easily you take the spot! My Ford auto park even has the option to parallel park fully automatically on either side of the road!! But I learned my lesson 30 years ago with my mother and you just got charged $90 for the lesson. Consider it an educational expenses.

  • +1

    Everyone is talking about exams, road rules and safety but the guy asked a question.

    Mate here is my reply.
    1. Never take a fine to court, unless your 100% sure your on the right "legal" side of the argument and have proof to back that up. 9/10 you will lose, waste money and time
    2. There is no harm in contesting a fine, its a pain free easy process on-line. That particular fine appears to attract 3 demerit points which is the real pain. $99 you will forget, 3 points over 3 years is harder to forget
    4. Your chances of a win on contesting a fine are based on your driving record, if you have not lost any points or had any altercations in 10 years, your chances (based on a mild fine) are significantly higher. Be honest say you live in that street and didn't realise that was an offense and that the street is quiet and often hard to 3 point turn. You may get someone with some common sense to give you a pass once, they will only likely do that if you have no demerits for over 7-10 years. If you have had an infringement in the last 3, your chances drop significantly.

    Best of luck sir. I am sure you learned something new, I know I did, and probably never to happen again. My fairness algorithm says this should be a monetary fine, no points. I probably don't know every statutory regulation out there as I got my license at 16 and a bit but I would peg myself against all those people who I see drive too fast, too slow or too stupid on the roads these days.. there are a lot of great drivers, equally an alarming number of poor drivers and I wonder who taught them to handle a car.. most people can't even stay in the middle of a lane, forget about all the regulations I'd be happy to see an improvement on the physical side of driving.

    :)

  • +6

    I see this all the time in my cul-de-sac. Lazy-arse neighbour either parks 4 feet out from the curb, or parks facing the wrong way so little fatty can avoid walking an extra three steps onto their lawn.

    Sheer, unadulterated laziness. Also dangerous as there are many young kids on the cut-de-sac and it probably sends them confusing messages.

  • I did not even know this was a rule

    Now you know it's a rule. It would be a lot less expensive to learn the rules by reading.

  • You can always ask for it to be reduced/waived, its not going to hurt to try.

  • +1

    Ozbargain needs to give me more than 5 negs over a 24hr period…

  • +1

    I thought you got fined for parking too far out from the opposite kerb?

  • Received the same fine in Oct during hard lockdown in outter Melbourne new estate. It was a newly built street and vacant land everywhere. I parked wrong direction to unload goods. Received fine by post, 99 bucks and paid.

  • +5

    I think you got away very lucky, because if someone hit you and ran way your insurance company wont be paying your claim.

    A very cheap lesson at $99

    • Kudos to you for being the first to point this out. Insurance companies are always looking for an easy out, and parking illegally on the wrong side of the road or on the nature strip must be gold to them.

      That said, I have to wonder if such people bother to insure their vehicles.

  • -1

    Wow, they seem to be inventing new offences faster than I can keep up. I was quite unaware that "stopped not facing direction of travel" was an offence. I was however aware that it has long been an offence to "not park close and parallel to the kerb." Which in a street which allowed two way traffic required you to park with the LEFT HAND SIDE of your vehicle close and parallel to the kerb. I know, I got booked for it over 40 years ago in a narrow suburban street in Drummoyne outside my home where it was quite a sensible way to do it. I guess describing it as "not facing direction direction of travel" covers one way and two way streets.

  • +1

    Nope, broke the rules, pay the fine.

    At least it's not a massively expensive lesson.

  • This goes well with the keeping right threads :P

  • Do the crime pay the fine.

    Whilst at it, suggest learning the road rules for you state. Not knowing the rules can result in death, yourself or other(s). If through not knowing the road rules you hit and killed a pedestrian, would you contest, since you didn't know the rule(s)?

    If I offered, would you fly a light plane, without knowing how? Sounds stupid right? But you're driving a car without knowing how, similarly stupid I would suggest.

  • Pay it. Move on. Better for your state mind. It sucks and is stupid law but is the law so has to be followed. Nothing else to say except take it as life lesson and help someone else out.

    If u see someone else doing the same thing leave polite note on their windscreen advising them they could get fine.
    Hopefully u getting fine will do someone else some good if u take time to leave note on another offenders windshield. In my area their are lots of tiny signs stating all cars have to park 60 degrees rear to kerb. I often leave notes advising people that park front to kerb they could be fined. Pay it forward.

    Or console yourself with the fact your money might go to better roads, public libraries, schools, council infrastructure etc.

  • I got one of these outside my house while waiting for a tan bark delivery. $270, and my guest as well $540 all up.

    I wasn't too mad about paying the fine, as I was in the wrong…but I was upset that the ranger didn't take any notice of all the illegally dumped rubbish on people's nature strips.

    If you are going to issue parking fines, throw some stuff on the back of your ute too.

    • +1

      You could be dieing and they wouldn't bat their eyes twice. They'll staple a infringement notice to your forehead as you draw your last breath.

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