Sydney Woman Fined $302 for Dealing with Labour Pains
Sydney Woman Fined $302 for Dealing with Labour Pains
Should parking rangers take a more hands-on approach in assessing potential medical emergencies?
A pregnant woman in Sydney was recently hit with a $302 fine for briefly stopping her car to deal with painful labour contractions. Despite explaining her situation to Revenue NSW, she was told the fine still applied. However, the fine was later revoked after she received a phone call from the agency.
Abby Kernahan, 39 weeks pregnant, had to pull over her Lexus RX on December 20, 2023, due to intense Braxton Hicks contractions, commonly known as false labour.
In severe pain, Abby parked in a no stopping zone near her apartment complex and turned on her hazard lights. She left the vehicle for approximately 10 minutes until the pain subsided.
However, weeks later, she was shocked to receive a $302 fine in the mail for her actions.
When Abby contacted Revenue NSW to explain her situation, she was informed that her experience did not qualify as a ‘medical emergency’ and that she still had to pay the fine.
The agency cited their Caution/Review Guidelines, legislation, and information from the issuing authority to support their decision.
According to Revenue NSW’s response, the fine could only be reconsidered in cases where the driver or passenger faced serious harm and required urgent medical attention.
Despite acknowledging the challenges Abby faced, they claimed they were unable to offer leniency based on a medical emergency.
Fortunately, after the story gained attention, Revenue NSW contacted Abby and informed her that the fine had been revoked.
Abby expressed her frustration, stating that the parking ranger should have assessed the situation to determine if a medical emergency was taking place. She also criticized the fact that the ranger had not even stepped out of their vehicle.
Revenue NSW’s website states that leniency may be considered for fines incurred in no stopping zones under certain conditions, including a medical emergency.
To contest a fine, the driver must provide documentation such as ambulance records, hospital admission forms, or other evidence that demonstrates the impact of the medical emergency on the offense.
- A pregnant woman in Sydney fined $302 for briefly stopping her car
- Revenue NSW initially claimed the fine still applied
- The fine was later revoked after the woman received a phone call
While initially faced with a fine for briefly stopping her car to manage intense labour contractions, Abby Kernahan’s case ended in a positive outcome when Revenue NSW revoked the penalty. This incident highlights the importance of understanding and considering circumstances before issuing fines. Should parking rangers take a more hands-on approach in assessing potential medical emergencies? And what constitutes a true medical emergency when it comes to parking violations? These are questions that warrant further discussion and clarification.
