Sydney Rd Brunswick is Victoria’s towaway zone hotspot

SYDNEY Rd in Brunswick is the state’s towaway zone hotspot with as many as five vehicles towed from the popular shopping strip every weekday.

1349 cars were ­removed from Sydney Rd’s peak-hour clearway zones. Picture: Mark Dadswell

SYDNEY Rd in Brunswick is the state’s towaway zone hotspot with as many as five vehicles towed from the popular shopping strip every weekday.

A total of 1349 cars were ­removed from the street’s peak-hour clearway zones last year and this year’s total is ­already above 1100.

More than 10,000 vehicles are towed every year statewide, according to VicRoads.

Other danger zones for ­motorists overstaying their welcome were Chapel St in South Yarra, with 1079 vehicles towed since the start of 2015, and Victoria St, Richmond with 989.

Motorists have to fork out $334 to have their vehicle released from the impound storage yard in Collingwood.

Drivers who use Toorak Rd in Glen Iris and Hampstead Rd in Maidstone were more likely to observe the clearway signs. Just one vehicle was towed from each location annually.

More than 10,000 vehicles are towed every year statewide. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Clearways restrict parking along critical arterial roads during peak weekday traffic periods to maximise traffic flow and minimise delays to commuters and public transport users.

VicRoads manager of real-time operations Keith Weegburg said keeping the road network flowing freely and safely during peak travel times was a priority.

“Restricting parking in clearways is important during these periods for improving road safety, reducing travel ­delays and driver frustration,’’ he said.

In the CBD, 44 drivers were fined in the city’s 13 clearway towaway zones. But usually, vehicles are cleared before a parking officer can issue an infringement ­notice.

In the City of Melbourne municipality, 5899 vehicles were towed last financial year, council spokeswoman Kate Loughnan said.

“If a vehicle in a towaway clearway cannot be immediately towed, a parking inspector may attend the scene and issue an infringement notice,’’ she said. “The vehicle owner is required to pay the infringement notice, even if their vehicle is ultimately towed.’’

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@IanRoyall