I was fined £50 for parking on my own driveway thanks to rule I’d never heard of – it’s completely unfair
A WOMAN has been left furious after being fined £50 for parking on her OWN driveway due to a bizarre little-known rule.
The motorist, from Queensland, Australia, said she almost had a "heart attack" when she was slapped with the penalty charge.
She believed she had parked her car on her property as usual on September 21, so was left baffled by the "very harsh" ruling.
The woman explained her husband had handed her the letter from the local council demanding £50 for the alleged infringement.
The authority accused the homeowner of "stopping on or across a driveway unless dropping off or picking up passengers".
Despite even including an image of her vehicle as evidence of the violation, she was still puzzled by receiving the parking fine.
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The riled resident told : "I didn’t understand it. We couldn’t figure out why. I see people parked like this all the time."
She decided to share the story of her "unfair" fine on a local Facebook group to seek some advice and an explanation.
Social media users then quickly pointed out that strict rules prohibit people from obstructing the pavement in any way Down Under.
The woman was informed she had parked too close to the kerb, seeing her vehicle spill off her private property onto the council's public footpath.
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According to Queensland law, "a driver must not stop on a road in a position that obstructs access by vehicles or pedestrians to or from a footpath ramp or a similar way of access to a footpath."
The only exception for drivers is when the vehicle is stationary for less than two minutes to drop off or pick up passengers.
But the woman believes the hefty fine is "very harsh", as she had no idea she was committing a parking crime.
She added: "We want to contest it because we felt it’s very unfair. People have seen my post and have been moving their cars."
Logan City Council declined to comment on specific cases but reminded Aussies that pedestrian safety is the priority.
A spokesperson said: "Council receives multiple complaints about poor parking practices across the city, including parking across driveways in a way which forces pedestrians onto the road in an unsafe manner.
"Queensland road rules state that a driver must not stop on or across a driveway or other way of access for vehicles travelling to or from adjacent land, unless there are certain circumstances which apply.
"In response to community demand, council undertakes education and enforcement activities to ensure the safety and liveability of the Yarrabilba area."
According to the Highway Code, motorists are forbidden from parking on the pavement unless signs permit it.
But drivers in London are outright banned from parking on footpaths at all, due to the inconvenience for pedestrians.
We previously told how this driver was slapped with a £100 fine for leaving his car overhanging the space by just three inches.
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Julian Griffiths, 59, said the private parking firm was "abusing their position to generate income " with their merciless policy.
And this resident was left furious after his rude neighbours repeatedly parked in front of his gate, blocking his driveway.