Monday, 15 April 2013

YWP Photojournalism 2 - Illegal Parking


Heyo people. This is my second photojournalism article I wrote for the YWP, and I won't be uploading my final piece (sadly, due to personal reasons). Once again, I stress that ANY real life figures in the photos are totally coincidental, I have also attempted to block any confidential information (like car plate numbers). Thank you, and do drop me a comment if you are on the verge of depression due to coincidental appearance in the below text.
Pardon me, the photo is upside down and I can't change it.


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Photo: A vehicle illegally parked outside a turn        
            Illegal parking is a common sight in Singapore wherein motorists park or stop their cars  to wait for reasons other than immediately taking up or setting down persons, goods or luggage. Some examples of illegal parking are parking on double yellow lines, parking within 3 metres of a bus stop or junction, etc. Such behaviour is inconsiderate and can cause traffic jams, inconvenience or putting the lives of others at risk.
            Parking illegally at a lane on a busy road especially during peak hours will force vehicles on the same lane to switch lane to avoid the vehicle, thus making the traffic congested and move slower due to the sudden increase of vehicles changing lanes. Other inconsiderate drivers who do not slow down to make way for these vehicles and instead opt to pick up their speed may cause car crashes. If the vehicle is parked just before a pedestrian crossing, vehicles behind may not be able to see pedestrians crossing. Thinking that the road is clear, they will continue to drive on. This puts the life of the pedestrian at risk if he walks into vision as the car is too near to brake. In some cases of illegal parking, the vehicle blocks another vehicle which is appropriately parked in a parallel parking lot, blocking and preventing the other vehicle from exiting its parking lot. This will result in the driver being unable to drive off until the vehicle behind or in front has moved away. Last but not least, when the vehicle is parked just outside a car park exit, exiting vehicles' drivers will have a difficult time spotting other vehicles coming their way until they are rather close up. This proves to be inconvenient to them as well.
            The Singapore Police Force also imposes various types of fines under different rules and natures for illegal parking. These fines can range from $25 to $300, depending on severity and type of vehicle. The fines are administered by traffic police wardens who frequently patrol the roads. One way to reduce illegal parking is to educate motorists on the proper spots to park, and where they should not park. 
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