Parking fine - road rule 210

[BenT]

I just got a fine for reverse parking in an angle space in Victoria. Apparently it's illegal to park with the nose closest to the centre of the road here.

So it's irrelevant that I did it because it's impossible to nearly reverse out of these spots due to the slope of the road into the gutter when tall vehicles park next to my small car.

I'd like to know how to find out when this road rule came into effect. I'd like to appeal the fine based on a clean driving record for nearly 20 years especially if the rule has been added since I got my licence in 1997.

Thanks for any help.
Ben

[Eaglen00b]

Sorry to hear that mate.

Must be an Eastern States thing. Over here, parking lines are just a suggestion. *facepalm*

[Idle]

It's in the 2009 regulations, but could well be a carryover from long ago.

The logic of it is that to reverse in you must face the wrong way (travel on the wrong side of the road) which may in itself be an offence.

ROAD SAFETY ROAD RULES 2009 - REG 210
Angle parking

(1) If a driver parks in a parking area on the side of a road, or in a median strip parking area—

(a) to which a parking control sign with the words "angle parking" or "angle" applies; or

(b) to which a road marking indicating an angle applies—

the driver must position the driver's vehicle in accordance with subrules (2) to (4).

Penalty: 2 penalty units.

Notes

1 "Driver's vehicle", median strip parking area , "parking area", parking control sign , road marking and with are defined in the dictionary.

2 Rule 212 deals with whether a driver enters a median strip parking area forwards or in reverse.

(2) If the parking control sign or road marking indicates that the vehicle must be positioned at a specified angle (other than 90°), the driver must position the vehicle—

(a) so that the vehicle is at an angle as near as practicable to the specified angle; and

(b) if the vehicle is parked on the side of the road—with the rear of the vehicle nearest to the centre of the road.

(2A) If the parking control sign or road marking does not indicate the angle at which the vehicle must be positioned, the driver must position the vehicle—

(a) so that the vehicle is at an angle as near as practicable to 45°, as shown in example 1 or 2; and

(b) if the vehicle is parked on the side of the road—with the rear of the vehicle nearest to the centre of the road

I have a suspicion the same rule applied when I got my licence in 1942 — angle parking was much more common then.

[theresanothersteve]

...
I'd like to know how to find out when this road rule came into effect. I'd like to appeal the fine based on a clean driving record for nearly 20 years especially if the rule has been added since I got my licence in 1997...

Neither of which will help, Ben. You are expected to know the current road rules.

If you are reversed into an angle spot you're lucky they didn't wait until you drove out and pinged you for driving on the wrong side of the road...

I have appealed parking fines on several occasions. Write to the council or shire and explain the circumstances. You might get lucky (I did both times).

[woofy]

I've never done it in angle parking, but in straight parking yes. With the low fronts its a pain to park with the high gutters. I would never have known it was a problem, but must admit I don't think I have done it. In some towns all angle parking has to be done by reversing in. I'm not getting the comments about being on the wrong side of the road, usually where i see it done you just reverse back into it, and then drive straight out?