Man Who Double-Parked Takes To Facebook To Seek Justice Over Car Damage — But It Backfires
Many netizens sided with the uncle, saying the man who double-parked was at fault.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 08 Dec 2020, 06:30 PM
A man who double-parked in front of a shoplot in Kuchai Lama, Kuala Lumpur has reinvigorated an age-old debate on who is at fault when one person damages a double-parked vehicle.
Is it the double-parker who is at fault or the person who damaged the vehicle?
The heated discussion began on Sunday, 6 December, after netizen Yee Trino took to Facebook to seek justice for his vehicle that was damaged while it was double-parked.
An uncle who was trapped by Yee's vehicle allegedly damaged his Toyota Prius C. Speaking to SAYS, he said the uncle was driving a Mercedes.
"Today, I met a person who hit my car in Kuchai Lama. Instead of saying sorry first, he gave me a lecture. In the end, it was all my fault," Yee wrote on the caption of the post, which has gone viral with over 1,400 shares.
In the one minute and 19 seconds long video attached to the post, Yee can be seen confronting the uncle, asking if he was the one at fault — to which the uncle brazenly replies yes.
"You parked behind me, it's illegal parking. I didn't notice your car and I hit your car. All I can do is say 'I'm sorry'," the uncle said, refusing Yee's demand for compensation.
The uncle also challenges Yee to take the matter to the police, contending that the latter will end up being slapped with a compound
The video gathered 3,200 comments within a few days. Many netizens were of the opinion that Yee was at fault.
"The young man has no virtue," said a person, while another added, "He still doesn't know he's at fault in the end! Don't double-park next time."
"Now I know a saint will never be at fault. Alright, go make a police report. Let's see if the saint will be summonsed or not," a Facebook user commented.
"Correct, if report (sic), police will (issue) summons for illegal parking. [...] Uncle (was) telling the right fact," a comment read.
Following the backlash, Yee published a seven-minute apology video yesterday, 7 December.
He stressed that he was not asserting himself as innocent, but rather if his offence gave the uncle the right to attack his vehicle.
Yee said the purpose of the video was to share his experience and to start a healthy discussion on the common problem in Malaysia.
He told SAYS that he is still waiting for the police's decision on the matter. If he happens to be at fault, he said he will let the public know to serve as a lesson for everyone, including himself.
While Yee waits on the police for an answer, one can search the answer online to find out who is really at fault in this case
According to AskLegal, both the person who double-parked and the person who damaged the other individual's vehicle are at fault.
Citing a 2016 case, the person who intentionally or accidentally damages another person's vehicle can be charged Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for driving without care and attention.
As for the person who double-parked, they are guilty of causing an obstruction or undue inconvenience to other road users. It is an offence under Section 48(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
So the solution? The police said members of the public should never take laws into their own hands, and that the best solution is to call local council authorities or traffic police to tow the double-parked vehicle away.
