Police issue parking fine for car parked on patch of dirt by side of road

WHEN a Brisbane man parked his car on what he saw as a safe area off the road, he thought he was making a smart move — and one he’s made for 10 years. Then came the fine from police.

Dennis Culver, of Figtree Pocket, was fined for parking outside his home on an apparent footpath. Pic: Josh Woning.

FOOTPATH? What footpath?

That’s what Fig Tree Pocket resident Dennis Culver thought when he parked his car on a patch of dirt — only to receive a parking fine for $47 for “parking on a footpath”.

“I’ve been parking here for 10 years. When I’m working in the garage, I pop my car over there on that piece of brown area,” he said.

“But according to the police, my infringement notice is ‘stopped on footpath’.”

Mr Culver said he was slugged $47 for the offence, and that police targeted the area around Fig Tree Pocket State School three times in the one week this month around school pick-up time.

“I’ve been here for 10 years and there’s never been a problem,” he said.

“Everybody parks there, so something’s changed and I’d like to know what’s changed.”

“I think it’s unfair to hound these parents, they’ve got nowhere else to go.”

Mr Culver said he often parked on the patch of brown dirt that was littered with rocks and tree roots, and that it was safer than parking on the road.

“If you park on the road, you’re narrowing the street. I do it for safety,” he said.

Mr Culver said there were no signs saying not to park on the dirt.

“If technically I’m in the wrong, then I’m in the wrong, but I can’t see that I am,” he said.

“I’ve been out here warning parents as much as I can. They throw up their hands and say ‘what’s Queensland coming to?’”

A Queensland Police spokesman said police attended the area in response to complaints from the school and the public.

“Complaints were focused on double parking, parking in non-parking areas, particularly around school drop off and pick up times,” he said.

“Police spoke with a number of motorists, parents and pedestrians and issued infringement notices where warranted.”

The spokesman said infringement notices were issued for parking offences generally contrary to signs or parking adjacent to the road.

“These are road related areas and include areas deemed to be footpaths,” he said.

“Areas directly adjacent to roads are classified as road related areas and subject to provisions provided in the Traffic Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 or Transport Operations (Road Use Management — Road rules) Regulation 2009.”

“The Queensland Police Service is committed to ensuring the safety of all road users, specifically vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and children.

“Unlawful or inappropriate road use surrounding schools creates significant dangers for children and parents, particularly immediately preceding and following the school day.

“To enhance road safety surrounding schools, police conduct routine patrols, including engaging with the public and enforcing relevant road rules to enhance public safety.”