The fastest fine ever: Couple fined while buying the parking ticket in Darwin

A tourist couple had one of the worst surprises they ever had when they parked their hired car in Darwin and were fined just in the 30 seconds that it took to buy a ticket from the meter. The incredible story happened the day before an NT News report said Darwin council made $1.5 million from parking fines in the last financial year.

Carolyn and Pat McNamee, the unfortunate travellers, stopped to buy some souvenirs at Territory Colours on Mitchell St on Monday before returning to the New South Wales Central Coast. “There was a guy ahead of us in the queue, and then we turned around and the guy was writing the ticket out. You just wouldn’t expect it to happen.” explained McNamee who described the event as something “ridiculous”.

In fact, the $2 ticket and the $40 fine both had the same time: 9.34AM. “less than a minute” the woman said  “30 seconds” Even the ranger refused to revoke the ticket and referred the couple to city hall. A really strange behaviour for these cases.

The pair has seen the funny side, and thankfully, the council has seen sense and overturned the fine after questions from the NT News. They were in Darwin for their daughter Anne’s wedding. “We had a such a wonderful time with the wedding and then this happened,” commented McMamee “It’s bad for tourism. There’s not the knowledge in the first place,” she said.

by Santi Ivar

Source: Ntnews.com.au