Miles Davis found this car parked on Mt Dandenong Tourist Road on Australia Day.
By Casey Neill
ILLEGALLY parked motorists are placing lives at risk at Upper Ferntree Gully’s 1000 Steps.
Police are allocating additional resources to monitor the area on high use days to try to stop an accident from occurring at the busy Mt Dandenong Tourist Road fitness attraction and war memorial.
Concerned visitor Miles Davis contacted the Mail after he discovered a car parked in the middle of the road on Australia Day.
“The driver of this car parked 75 per cent on the road, which was very busy with cars, bicycles and other vehicles, on a double white line section,” he said.
“There is no excuse for putting other people’s lives at risk.
“I left a post-it note on the car windscreen explaining how dangerous and stupid their actions were.”
Industrial action involving Park Victoria staff saw the car park at the 1000 Steps closed on the busy public holiday, compounding its usual parking problems.
“This seems ridiculous,” Mr Davis said.
“But no reason to park your car in the middle of the road.
“There were almost two accidents in the five minutes that I was there.
“I think this driver deserves to be fined, or at least contacted to be told how dangerous this is.”
Mr Davis contacted Belgrave Police to express his concerns following the incident.
Belgrave Sergeant John Saddington told the Mail that parking at the 1000 Steps was a particular concern during busy holiday season, with extra children out and about.
He said parking regulations were for everyone’s safety and convenience.
“It’s a major danger to other road users,” he said of the situation Mr Davis described.
Sgt Saddington said his station contacted Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol prior to expected high-volume days to ask for surveillance from any available resources.
“It’s lucky there hasn’t yet been a serious accident,” he said.
