WE ALL KNOW that some (OK most) road users are more selfish than others (you and I).
But this trait can be best examined in the way people ‘park’ their vehicles. I say park, but what they do isn’t really parking, it’s more like abandoning their car as if the zombie apocalypse had just broken out and they had to run for their life. (Seriously though, no need to run, zombies are looking for brains…)
Here are my top parking peeves:
1. The Door Demon
There’s a special place in hell for those who fling open car doors with no regard for cars parked beside them. Just because you don’t give a hoot about damaging your banger doesn’t mean you can damage my brand new test car, you cretin. Sorry about that, but dents in my doors and chipped paintwork really wind me up. This lack of respect for other people’s’ property is why we can’t have nice things.
2. The Non-Disabled Delinquent
We all know you aren’t disabled and didn’t leave your blue badge at home. Just as bad are those who borrow someone else’s disabled badge just to get a more convenient spot. Those spots are there because they are safer and easier to manoeuvre into for those who are less abled bodied than you.
You are making life more difficult for those who already face barriers and you are making parking and getting in and out of cars a lot more dangerous for those who truly need to use disabled parking spaces. This is actually disgusting and shameful behaviour. So, cop on and show some respect.
3. The Loitering Lout
“Ah sure I’ll only be a minute, if I put my hazards on everything will be grand”. No, you are blocking the bus lane, footpath, my driveway or the whole bloody road just cause you are too lazy to look for a suitable place to pull in and are too cheap to pay for parking.
I don’t care if you are just popping into the shop for milk or dropping little Shakira off at Montessori, you are holding everybody up and you are not more important that anyone else on the road. In fact our roads would be safer if you weren’t on them.
And breathe…
4. The Psycho Path
Is nowhere safe from inconsiderate parking pirates? It is illegal to park on a footpath (either partly or wholly). People who do this make it difficult for pedestrians to get by safely especially those pushing prams and wheelchair users.
What’s even worse is when cars park on the kerb ramp meaning wheelchair users have no way of getting off the path without turning around and going back the way they came. Listen up parkers, they are FOOTpaths not CARpaths.
5. The Space Invader
Those who park so close to the driver’s side of your car that you are forced to climb into your car via the passenger side or the sunroof. There are also those who park so close to the back of your car that you can’t open the boot to put in all your shopping, leaving you to pack the messages on top of the children on the back seats.
The absolute worst is when you have perfectly parallel parked and return find that you have been tag-teamed by a space invader in front and behind you. The only solution for this is to channel the Parisians and put your bumpers to good use. Back up and back off, buddy.
6. The Blind Linesman
People who can’t – or more likely won’t – park between the lines and creep over into a second space making it impossible for someone else to use. The lines are there for guidance not decoration. Even three-year-olds know how to stay between the lines.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say