Here are 10 lesser-known Australian road rules that you should be aware of before taking to the road. If you’re caught during any of these acts, you could incur a fine and some demerit points.
Beeping your horn to say hello or goodbye to, or otherwise attract the attention of friends
There are generally only three reasons you should be using your car’s horn or a similar warning device. They are:
- to warn other drivers that your vehicle is approaching
- to try to get animals off the road
- as part of an anti-theft or alcohol interlock device.
It’s tempting to toot the horn when backing out of your friend’s driveway as an extra goodbye, but that beep constitutes ‘unnecessary use of the horn or warning device’ and could cost you $349 in NSW.
In Victoria, the maximum fine is one penalty unit. Currently, the value of the penalty unit is $184.92. Using your horn inappropriately in Tasmania could cost you $135.75.
In South Australia, the maximum fine is $298. In Queensland, the maximum fine is 20 penalty units. Currently, one penalty unit is $143.75, so it could cost you a hefty $2875.
Paying at the drive-through with your phone
Driving with your phone in your hand is illegal in every state in Australia. Importantly, using a hand-held mobile phone is illegal when your vehicle is stationary but not parked (i.e., at traffic lights or on the brakes in heavy traffic).
Technically you’re still behind the wheel of a running car when you’re going through a drive-through. So, before you grab that fast food, make sure to switch off your engine and engage the handbrake. Alternatively, pay with your physical card or keep a little bit of cash in your car or on your person and pay the old-fashioned way.
In South Australia, you could be faced with a $554 ‘expiation fee’ and three demerit points.
The punishment for getting caught using your phone while driving in NSW is a $352 fine and five demerit points. In Victoria, you could get a $545 fine and four demerit points.
Speeding up when someone’s trying to overtake you
If you’re the type of person that gets all riled up when someone tries to overtake you, you could get fined and handed some demerit points.
In NSW, those caught speeding up when a car is trying to overtake face a $362 fine and three demerit points under Road Rule 145.
In Victoria, an on-the-spot fine for the offence will cost drivers $370 and two demerit points. The maximum court penalty for this offence in the state is $1849, according to VicRoads.
In SA, you could be handed a $278 on-the-spot fine. The infringement will cost drivers $200 and two demerit points in WA, and $173 and one demerit point in Tasmania.
Flashing your lights to warn others of a speed camera, police or RBT
There is no specific rule that prohibits the flashing of headlights to warn of police, however, there are a number of other offences with which drivers can be charged.
In NSW, it is an offence to drive on a road with high-beam headlights on if:
- there is another vehicle in front, travelling in the same direction within 200 metres
- there is another oncoming vehicle within 200 metres.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of a fine of $2200. However, generally police will only issue a penalty notice of $112, which incurs one demerit point.
Throwing fruit peels out of the car window
This one seems obvious to me, but apparently, some people think it’s okay to litter if the rubbish is biodegradable.
Every state has laws on littering and dedicated regulations to cover the offence in various settings, including on the roads.
If you are caught littering from your car in NSW, you’ll cop a $250 fine.
In Victoria, if you drop a piece of fruit or any small item, you will be issued a fine of $363. However, any hot or burning litter (such as a cigarette butt) will see the fine doubled to $727.
In Queensland, you will be fined $275. However, if the item is deemed to be dangerous – such as a beer bottle – then the fine increases to $551. If you are found littering in the NT, you could be handed a fine of up to eight penalty units, which amounts to a hefty $1296 fine.
Other road rules you should know
Don’t mount the nature strip in a school zone
If you’re in a school zone and feeling the pressure to park, don’t be tempted to mount the curb or median strip. If you’re caught you’ll catch a fine.
Keep your pet safe and restrained
If you’re on the road with a pet, keeping it safely secured is in everyone’s best interest. In NSW, if a driver is not in full control of a vehicle due to an animal, or one is found on the driver’s lap while the car is in operation, the driver can expect a $425 fine and three demerit points.
Another little-known fact is that the RSPCA can issue penalties if an animal is injured because it was unrestrained in a car. Owners can face up to six months in jail and fines of up to $5500.
Don’t leave the key in the ignition when leaving the car
If you need to fill up the tank, don’t leave your keys in the ignition while doing it. It might seem petty but this law was made to reduce instances of theft.
Make sure you’ve locked up
Speaking of antitheft laws, most states have also made it illegal to leave your car unattended and unlocked. In Queensland, NSW and Victoria, it’s not only illegal to leave the car unlocked, but if you venture more than 3m away, your windows must also be wound up to 2-3cm.
Don’t take a shortcut through a petrol station
Taking a shortcut through a petrol station in Australia is illegal and violates the “drive on or over footpath” road rule. This action can result in penalties such as a fine of $349 and three demerit points. Safety should be a priority on the road, and it’s best to wait for traffic to clear rather than risk fines and penalties by taking illegal shortcuts.
Were you aware of all of these road rules? Have you ever been caught out? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: Bizarre road rules from around the world
Totally agree about the high beam rule. I drove home through part of the night last night through open country including light bushland and the number of times I was close to blinded by oncoming drivers was appalling. The unwritten rule is to lower the beam even if it is quite dark when the other driver is a reasonable distance as it also reminds them to do the same but too many just plough on regardless. Very, very scary.
Not to mention people drive on high beam all.the.time! 4X4 drivers simply have no concern for drivers of small, lower cars which means their headlights bean straight into the rearview mirror blinding the driver of the smaller car. I have lost count of the number of times I have got out of my car in a car park to ask the 4×4 driver to turn off their headlights so I can actually see to park. It also points to the fact that their headlights are not positioned correctly and should be tested and reset by a mechanic.
It is far more frightening to think that people with valid driving licenses don’t know these road rules. They are not new by a long shot. Just because people ignore them does not mean they are bad rules or that they should not be enforced. Like parking across a pavement!