Only anecdotal, but I live in one of those countries. While word-for-word you're correct, it isn't usually practiced because parking that way doesn't conflict with the spirit of the law (I'm not sure if there's a better term for it in English, I hope you understand what I mean). The core idea behind the parking arrangement is you shouldn't be in the way of others and your car is small enough to not be — no one at the time of the writing could foresee a square car. Much in the same way, bikes are allowed to park which ever way they like as long as they don't take up unnecessary space, usually the measure is to fit two in one slot. Needless to say, don't call me when you do happen to get a ticket.

Spirit of the law works.

Tabletop gamers have a more precise words however: "rules as written" and "rules as intended". RAW and RAI for short.