This section explains parking regulations and why Council is obliged to enforce penalties for parking offences.

Schools and other No Stopping areas

At most schools you will find a No Stopping area or an area designating restrictions during school hours. Drivers parking in restricted areas can cause blind spots for other motorists and create a hazard for children. It is also an offence to set down or pick up a person in these areas or stop a vehicle on the road edge in an area marked with a continuous yellow edge line.

Drivers should also avoid obstructing entrances or crossing places as it impedes movement of vehicles.

Long / Heavy Vehicles

It is an offence to leave semi-trailers, B Doubles and trucks parked on any roadway for longer than one hour if they exceed 7.5 metres in length or 4.5 tonnes in weight. This regulation applies in built up areas.

Fire Plugs

The obstruction of fire hydrants and fire plugs is an offence. It is illegal to park in front of a fire plug or hydrant, including in front of private residences.

Disabled Parking

In most car parks and some streets, parking areas are reserved for holders of disabled permits only. If you hold a disabled permit, the permit must be displayed on the vehicle. These can be obtained from the Motor Registration Division of the Department of Planning, Transport. These departmental permits are acceptable throughout South Australia.

Special Service Parking and Bus Zones

Special service vehicle zones include parking for buses, taxis, commercial vehicles and loading. A sedan or station wagon used for commercial purposes does not constitute a commercial vehicle. These areas should be left for the vehicles indicated.

Intersections

Because of the danger of obstructing drivers' views, it is an offence to park a vehicle within 10 metres of an intersection or junction of streets or roads. The 10 metres are taken from the edge of the gutter.

Reserves and Footpaths

Driving or parking on a reserve, dividing strip, footpath or verge or entering back into the flow of traffic could cause a serious accident. Driving, riding or parking on a reserve may cause damage to the reserve or the underground watering systems.

Time Limits

Time limits apply to some Special Service Parking and Bus Zones. They have been set to allow access for Special Service Vehicles and Buses when they are scheduled to be in town. Outside these times the zones are available for normal parking. Please be aware that different zones may have different time periods.

Impounded Vehicles

Drivers should also be aware that it is an offence to leave a vehicle on a roadway for longer than 24 hours. This applies to all streets and roads, including outside residents' homes. Should a vehicle be left on a roadway longer than 24 hours, Council may impound the vehicle without giving notice. If a vehicle is impounded, costs are charged for its recovery, including towing and impounding fees.

Parallel and Double Parking

A vehicle is deemed not parallel parked if it is not aligned as closely as practicable with the line of the kerb. Furthermore, it is an offence to park a vehicle so that it is facing opposite the legal driving direction on the side of the road that it is parked. Parking between a parked vehicle and the centre of the road to pick up or drop off is an offence.

Penalties and Payment

Under the Expiation of Offences Act, tickets need not be attached to vehicles. Details of the offence may be taken and an expiation notice posted to the offender.

Legal proceedings may be instituted if payment is not made within 28 days. However, Council may accept late payment subject to additional administrative and legal costs being included with the expiation fee.

To appeal against any infringement notice issued a letter or email must be forwarded written to Council.

Changes to Fines in South Australia

The Fines Unit collects payments on overdue fine debts that have been incurred in South Australia. The Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit was established on 3 February 2014. On this date, the unit took on the management of the functions previously managed by the Fines Payment Unit of the Courts Administration Authority.

The Fines Unit provides a service to Issuing Authorities across the state in the recovery of debts owed on expiation notices they have issued. As part of this system, Issuing Authorities provide their notices to the unit for recovery and 'enforcement'. The Fines Unit is also responsible for the recovery and enforcement of court fines. 'Enforcement' refers to a range of measures that can be applied when overdue fines remain unpaid. Further details on enforcements.

In recovering and enforcing unpaid and overdue fine debts, the Fines Unit provides a consistent and professional service for fines collection for the South Australian community. The Unit uses data matching and analysis to continuously improve the recovery of unpaid fines in South Australia.

The Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit can be contacted by calling them on 1800 659 538.

Before calling, it is worth visiting the Fines Unit website for information about managing overdue fines: www.fines.sa.gov.au

For further information regarding parking control, including concerns regarding parking fines, contact Council on 8620 0500