Frustrated drivers have lashed out after they were slugged $272 each over a little-known road rule, forcing the local council to clear the air.
Residents living in the Bayside local government area, in south Sydney, were left stunned after receiving the fines for parking their cars on the street.
The cars were left on the road over solid yellow lines – which indicate drivers are not allowed to stop or park there – which were recently painted on while ‘No Stopping’ signs were removed.
Drivers who stop in an area designated by yellow lines will risk a fine of $272, or $352 plus two demerit points if they do so in a school zone.
Drivers have lashed out after they were slugged close to $300 over a little-known road rule forcing the local council to clear the air
One driver ranted on Facebook how they were unwittingly ‘slugged’ with a ‘hefty fine’.
‘How long have you not been allowed to park on a continuous yellow-edged line?’ they wrote.
Bayside Council have defended the new markings, claiming the yellow lines reduce the need for signs and thereby create a nicer streetscape.
‘Council recently made the decision to roll out the yellow C3 line marking in lieu of ‘No Stopping’ signage in the first instance to address the visual clutter associated with sign proliferation throughout the LGA,’ a spokesman told Yahoo.
The NRMA confirmed yellow lines were introduced as an option for the traditional ‘No Stopping’ signs back in 1999.
Bayside Council have defended the new markings, claiming they put an end to ‘visual clutter’
‘We regularly hear from NRMA members who have never heard of the the rule before,’ its website read.
A Bayside Council spokesman said there were plans to expand the use of the yellow lines in the area.
‘The yellow line marking has been in use across Bayside LGA in select locations and on clearways for a long time, however due to the recent decision it will become more widespread,’ he said.
Daily Mail contacted Bayside Council for comment.