Melbourne parking sign sparks confusion

Symbols indicating that parking spaces are reserved for seniors are confusing motorists, who don’t know what they are supposed to represent.

The designated areas in the Harpley Town Centre in Wyndham Vale, Melbourne, are marked with universally recognised male and female icons, but there is no indication that these areas are intended for people aged 60 and over.

Some suggested using a symbol like a walking stick, or simply writing “for seniors only.”

Many customers thought the sign represented a parking lot for cars with more than one person inside.

“I have my partner with me and my baby in the back, so I assumed if there are two people in it, we fall into that category,” one driver said. 7NEWS.

Another motorist who saw the symbol thought he could park there because there were two people in the car.

A third assumed the sign represented a parking space for a couple without children.

Ian Mackenzie, manager of the Harpley centre, said the decision was made not to provide a walking stick because ‘not all older people have a walking stick and some people might be offended by it’.

Due to the confusion, additional signs have been placed.