Woman sparks debate after copping $116 fine for "absurd" rule
Shakira Coldwell, 21, has sparked debate online after copping a $116 parking fine for an "absurd" rule she claims she didn't even know existed.
The Aussie woman took to TikTok to share her confusion, and asked if anyone else was aware of the rule.
“Was I the only one that didn’t know you can get a parking fine for parking nose in, like the front of your car goes in first instead of backing into a car park?” she asked.
She then asked whether the rule was only enforced in Noosa, saying that she was "pretty sure" you could park in any way as long as you stay between the lines.
Coldwell then shared a photo of how she parked her car when she received the fine and said that she was “clearly” within the parking lines but hadn’t backed into her space like the car next to her.
“Does that not just seem a bit absurd, a bit bizarre?” she said.
She also said that she was only just made aware of the fine, as she had been travelling, which means that she may be copping even bigger fees as her payment was now overdue.
“I’ve asked a couple of people about this and they literally had no idea that rule even existed. Like, I’m within the lines, it doesn’t matter how I’m parked,” she continued.
According to the Brisbane City Council website, failing to park as indicated by an angle parking sign will result in a $116 fine, but Coldwell claims that she didn't see any signs.
“So I am a bit confused. Is this just Noosa rule or does everyone know this because I literally did not know this was a rule. And low key $116 for a parking fine that's a bit absurd, given I was within the lines,” she said.
Many commenters were quick to inform her that it was actually a common parking rule that wasn't restricted to Noosa.
“As someone who lives in Noosa I can 100% guarantee there was a sign saying you had to back in,” one person wrote.
“Being within the lines literally has nothing to do with it lol,” another said.
A few others said that parking the wrong way in angled spots can make it “dangerous” when backing out into traffic, with one commenter claiming “everyone knows this”.
However, a few others were just as baffled as the 21-year-old.
“I’d be challenging that. I have never heard of it and there should definitely be signs so if you can go and check the signage,” one said.
“Never heard of this before I wouldn’t pay it tell them where to go,” another wrote.
According to the Noosa Council website, rear-in angle parking is enforced in certain areas to “ensure a safer parking experience for everyone in the area," and to prevent cars from crossing into oncoming traffic as they try to exit the parking bay.
Images: TikTok