Car parking outlaws fined $78k

RUSHED: More than a little out of its space.

Inconsiderate parking in Masterton is costing drivers about $48,000 a year - more than 60 per cent of parking revenue.

At least $78,000 in parking tickets was issued by the Masterton District Council in 2014, including the take from a crackdown on inconsiderate parking in the CBD.

Latest council figures show an increase of 5 per cent in parking revenue compared to 2013, and a 20 per cent increase since 2012.

While three-quarters of the 3296 tickets issued were for exceeding the time limit, usually a $12 fine, the council shared with the Times-Age examples of inconsiderate and misaligned parking, costing motorists up to $60.

The highest number of offences occurred in Queen, Chapel and Dixon streets.

Parking offences that had been more closely monitored or had shown an increase included inconsiderate parking, parking in a disabled park without a permit, and parking across the line marking the space.

Overstaying a metered park in Queen St made up to a quarter of all offences in 2014, costing a minimum of $12. Under a council bylaw, $60 fines can be issued for double parking, inconsiderate parking and parking on broken yellow lines.

Parking in a disabled park can cost $150.

In 2013, Masterton resident Lyn McDonald approached the Times-Age after she was fined $60 for parking over the white line of a parking space.

In response, Facebook posters complained they had parked the way they did because the car behind them was also over the line.