Why this photo of a car parked on a Melbourne street has outraged drivers
A council parking inspector has outraged locals by fining them for parking violations, while appearing to have done exactly the same himself.
A photo showing the Boroondara city ranger’s car parked in a loading zone on a Melbourne street has angered local man Rui Zhou.
He had been fined $185 by the same municipality for briefly stopping in a loading zone while dropping his children off at school.
But it turned out that the Melbourne parking inspector’s parking spot was completely legal.
A council parking inspector has outraged locals by fining them for parking violations, while appearing to have done exactly the same himself (pictured)
Municipal officials can park their work vehicles in loading zones during their work.
‘It was in the morning, just before 9am, so we were in a hurry. “I didn’t get out of the car and only stopped for about five seconds,” Mr. Zhou said. 9News.
When he saw a municipal car parked in a loading zone just blocks away from where he was fined, Mr. Zhou was disgusted.
But the council said it was all over the table.
“Authorized municipal officers may park a municipal vehicle in a loading zone to carry out their duties, including parking enforcement,” Scott Walker, the council’s director of urban life, said in a statement.
‘The officer parked this vehicle on Friday evening whilst carrying out his enforcement duty in a busy location where many parking spaces (outside loading zones) are for community use.’
Police, emergency and enforcement vehicles are exempt from parking regulations in ‘reasonable’ circumstances and provided the driver exercises due care, in accordance with Victoria’s Road Safety Regulations.
A parking inspector is pictured issuing a parking ticket in Melbourne, although different rules apply to them
But Mr. Zhou was not impressed. “I can understand if it’s a police car or an ambulance, that’s absolutely understandable,” but the ranger’s car was not in an emergency situation, he said.
He challenged his fine twice, first directly with the municipality and then with the judge.
Both challenges ended in disappointment, with the council saying no and a magistrates court judge rejecting his bid to at least reduce the fine.
Making matters worse, Mr. Zhou had to pay an additional $90 because he unsuccessfully challenged the fine in court, bringing the total amount he had to pay to $275.