SA residents shocked to learn of property parking rule

Parking over a driveway, even if it’s your own, is illegal in SA, with offenders facing a $99 fine.

---

South Australians are getting caught out in their own front yard, copping fines of almost $100 for parking across their own driveway.

A recent social media post by the RAA has revealed many drivers are unaware it is illegal to park across driveways – even if it is their own.

RAA safety and infrastructure senior manager Charles Mountain was not surprised by the high level of confusion and said illegal parking was “still something we get reports of on a regular basis’’.

“It’s important drivers don’t park across driveways – even their own – or footpaths because it can block access for other residents, emergency services or pedestrians,’’ Mr Mountain said.

“Even partially parking over a driveway can make it difficult, if not impossible, to access, particularly on narrow residential streets where there are lots of vehicles parked on the street.”

The RAA asked its Facebook followers if it was illegal to park over their own driveway. Picture: RAA Facebook.

---

SA’s re-elected Labor Government is pushing to make it mandatory for new homes to have larger garages in a bid to get parked cars off overcrowded, narrow suburban streets.

Under the vehicle parking reforms, one-bedroom homes would be required to have one off-street car park while those with two or more would need to have at least two parking spaces.

The Australian road rules state motorists who stop on or across a driveway may be fined $99.

Those caught obstructing access to a driveway or footpath face a $97 fine.

MORE NEWS

SA mouse plague looms as bait sent interstate

Shock suburb buyers determined to get into

Up 30pc: Foreign China buyers target Adelaide

The only exceptions were if motorists were stopping to drop off or pick up a passenger – in which case they must stay within three metres of their vehicle at all times and be stopped for no longer than two minutes – or if they had stopped across a footpath or nature strip to open a gate, the RAA said.

It was also allowable if drivers were parked within a marked parking bay.

Many on social media admitted they had found out they were illegally parked the hard way.

Some residents were shocked to learn of the rule. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

---

“Have the parking ticket to prove it,’’ one said, while also conceding, “I will learn nothing from this (fine).’’

“It’s funny, NOT, how your driveway finishes at your boundary BUT if it has to be dug up, guess who has to pay for it? That’s right, YOU,’’ said another.
Others commented that the elderly, parents with prams and those requiring service dogs were put at risk if they were forced to walk on the road because vehicles were obstructing their access to the footpath.

One person suggested it was also illegal to park with two vehicle wheels on the verge of a street, prompting responses that while “some council areas are hot’’ on policing this and issuing fines, others were more lax.

Mr Mountain urged anyone impacted by illegal parking to report the matter to the local council concerned, who could follow up and take action, if required.

– by Lauren Ahwan