A motorist has been slugged with a massive fine after parking in his own driveway and blocking the footpath.
The man was fined $132 for parking his large Nissan Patrol Warrior behind another vehicle in his driveway in Conder, Canberra, on June 14.
Photos of the parking act were shared to Facebook and showed the back half of the large vehicle blocking the footpath.
The driver didn’t realise that this part of his driveway is considered public property and it does not belong to him, making his park illegal.
He criticised the ACT government after receiving a fine for ‘stopping on a path/strip in a built-up area’.
‘Is the ACT government really that hard up for money that they are trying to fine people $132 for parking in their own driveway for “blocking the path”,’ he wrote.
His post divided residents with one even arguing the fine should be increased.
‘Pretty entitled to assume that the path isn’t required by other users. Fine should be doubled,’ they wrote.
The Canberra resident was shocked to receive a fine for parking in his driveway (pictured), but it is illegal to obstruct a footpath across Australia
Some argued pedestrians could still walk around the car (pictured), but many said it was difficult for people with prams and those in wheelchairs
‘Some ACT people just whinge and whinge. Don’t park illegally, inconveniencing other people, and you won’t get fined. Simple.’
‘It’s about time. What about the walkers, especially those with prams or even those people who use a wheelchair,’ another wrote.
‘Have some consideration. The paths are there for pedestrians, not cars.’
Some agreed with the driver, believing pedestrians could still be able to get around the man’s car.
‘I get the reason for the fine but your car seems far enough in that someone could barely cross the edge and go across your driveway still,’ one said.
‘Obstructing sure but not blocking it.’
Obstructing a footpath or parking on the road with part of a vehicle blocking the driveway is illegal across Australia.
The front part of a driveway is considered council land.
In Queensland, people who break the rule can be fined up to $200, whereas in Victoria drivers will be served a $109 fine.
In Western Australia and Tasmania fines are less than $100. NSW has the highest fine, which can be up to $302.
A Transport NSW spokesman tol Yahoo drivers can only stop or park across a driveway if they are picking up or dropping people off.
‘[Drivers must not] leave the vehicle unattended (or) complete the dropping off or picking up and resume driving within two minutes of stopping,’ they said.
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