A driver who parked their car on the arrester bed at the bottom of Mount Ousley then took their dog for a walk has been branded an "absolute muppet" by online commentators.
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Illawarra Highway Patrol police shared details of the Saturday incident on social media in a public safety message aimed at showing the ramps "exist for a specific purpose".
According to police, highway patrol officers pulled over on the side of the M1 and, finding the car unoccupied, began searching for the driver, "as they were concerned for their welfare".
"A canvas of the local area located the driver in nearby bushland walking their dog," police said.
"They had deliberately parked their vehicle in the middle of the safety ramp to do so. The driver said they did not see any signs indicating that they could not park there. The driver was directed to immediately move the vehicle, and will be issued with an infringement notice."
"[Safety ramps] are not designed for picnics, rest stops, or walking your pets."
The Mount Ousley ramp has been the scene of some white-knuckle moments. As recently as March 28 the ramp brought a runaway truck to a halt as it careened down the mountain.
The truck overturned after pulling up on the sandy ramp but the 29-year-old driver was able to walk away virtually unscathed, telling the Mercury, "that was one hell of a ride".
In November 2018 the driver of another runaway truck, Sourab Bisht, missed the ramp and went on to plough through the McDonald's carpark at the bottom of the mountain, injuring himself and two others. Mr Bisht is in the process of appealing his sentence in the district court. Fourteen people were injured in a similar truck crash at the same site in 2006.
Commentators blasted the driver involved in Saturday's incident as "blind" and "criminal".
"Must have missed the huge signs saying "Safety Ramp" then. Absolute muppet," wrote a Duck Wilson.
"Cars have [been] doing that for years on that ramp," wrote another, Geraldine. "As a kid I saw tables and chairs set up. Dangerous but funny."
Added a Nathan Swampy Paterson: "There's even the standard red No Stopping signs on top of the 10 foot SAFETY RAMP signs, exactly for that excuse. Should have their licence immediately suspended for such blatant disregard, then having the audacity to say they didn't see any signs. If you can't see those signs, I'm worried what else you "can't see" while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle."
Angela Thompson
Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
