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Emily Brown
A mystery driver has found themselves to be the target of heavy criticism over their efforts to park after an image of their car was shared online for all to see.
If, like me, you're someone who avoids reverse or parallel parking at all costs, you'll know that it doesn't feel good to have people scrutinise your parking job.
At the same time though, most people know to at least try and aim for suitable parking spaces that aren't at risk of causing a hindrance to other drivers. This particular car owner did not appear to have that concern.
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An image of their car caught the attention of the public after it was spotted in a car park at Westfield Eastgardens shopping centre in Sydney, Australia, and shared to a community Facebook page.
People who still do their Christmas shopping in person will know all too well that parking spaces are packed to the brim on the run up to the big day, so sometimes you have to drive around for a while in order to spot the coveted empty space.
But rather than hanging around and waiting for someone to leave, this driver appeared to try and save time by slotting their car into any gap that was big enough - even if it took up two designated disabled parking spaces in the process.
The image showed their car parked directly on top of the line which divided the two spaces either side of it, and between two cars which appeared to have purposefully parked in the wider disabled bays.
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The designated spots have more room to allow people who may have a wheelchair or other equipment to get in and out of the car easily - a feature rendered useless if another car takes up the space.
A caption alongside the image read: "So I entirely understand that parking is scarce at Westfield Eastgardens, especially today, but let’s not be d**** about it."
After the image was shared online, one frustrated Facebook user responded: “Imagine being that entitled. So what if someone needs a wheelchair to get into their car, could not care, I need to park. Seriously everything that is wrong in this world right there."
Another wrote: "Wow. That’s actually ridiculous! Do they not realise the reason for the extra wide car spaces.”
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Some Facebook users did attempt to offer an explanation for the scene by suggesting the driver may have made a mistake by parking across the marked spots, with one pointing out that the same two bays previously looked to have been split into three.
However, one person argued: "(I) get that but those big blue signs would stand out when you walk away from the car. Also, the line down the middle says a lot."
Transport NSW explains that local councils do not distribute infringements for parking offences which take place in privately owned car parks or shopping centres, though the driver may have been fined if the issue was raised with the manager of the car park.