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The road rules you may have never heard of!
Whether you’re a local or visiting from overseas: if you’re planning a road trip down under, you’d better brush up on your road laws before hitting the pavement. If you don’t, you might end up with a hefty fine and a demerit point or two!
That’s right, it isn’t just about speeding, drinking and driving down here in Australia. There’s a whole slew of unusual road laws that could catch you by surprise.
Beeping your horn and waving farewell to your loved ones
That’ll cost you $698
If you’re in NSW and you’re the type to toot the horn and wave farewell, better think again! That friendly farewell beep constitutes “unnecessary use of the horn or warning device” and could cost you $349. If you add a wave to the mix, well, that’s another $349 for “part of the body outside the vehicle.” So, better stick to a friendly nod or a smile next time you’re backing out of Nanna’s driveway.
Paying at the drive-thru with your phone
That’ll cost you a pretty penny
Depending on the state, you could be fined up to $534 and 5 demerit points.
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As we all know, operating your phone while driving is a huge no. So why would it be different at a drive-thru? Technically you’re still in a running car and behind the wheel. So, before you grab that Big Mac, make sure to switch off your engine and engage the handbrake. Otherwise you might cop it. 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.
Speeding up when someone’s trying to overtake you
That’ll cost you up to $344 and 2 demerit points
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Let’s not forget about that infuriating practice of speeding up when someone’s trying to overtake you. If you get caught doing that in NSW, you could be fined $344 and lose 2 demerit points, and in Victoria, it’s $330 and 2 demerit points.
Flashing your lights to warn others of a speed camera, police or RBT
That’ll cost you $116 and 1 demerit point
Although surely appreciated by many, it’s illegal. Flashing your headlights to warn other drivers of police presence could cost you $116 and 1 demerit point. In NSW, you could even get fined if you use your high beams outside of fog and inclement weather.
Chucking your apple core or banana peel out of your car window:
That’ll cost you up to $580 and 2 demerit points
The road rule that almost every Aussie driver has broken at least once. Yep, that’s right; if you thought biodegradable meant it’s okay to litter, think again! Dropping “injurious matter on a road” could land you up to $580 in fines and two demerit points, depending on what state you’re in.
Mounting the nature strip in a School Zone
That’ll cost you $464 and 4 demerit points
If you’re in a school zone and feeling the pressure to park, don’t be tempted to mount the curb or median strip, even if the streets are tighter than a drum. Otherwise, you’ll be facing a whopper of a fine and losing 4 demerit points. A bit of time management to get to your destination earlier will go a long way.
Not giving way to horses
That’ll cost you $130 and a hoof to the head
Who says horses are a thing of the past? Well, they may not be the most common mode of transport these days, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore them when they’re on the road! If a rider signals that their horse is hard to control by waving their hand and pointing to their trusty steed, you gotta move to the left, turn off your engine and wait. Otherwise, you’ll be getting a $130 fine and a stern look from the horse in Queensland. Keep in mind: give way to the right and horses.
Leaving your key in the ignition
That’ll cost you $114
Attention all NSW drivers! Roughly 1,000 of you each year are caught and fined for leaving your keys in the ignition. Sure, it might be convenient, but it’s also against the law. So, make sure you don’t get caught and avoid the fine by keeping your keys in your pocket!
Taking shortcuts through a petrol station
That’ll cost you $349 and 3 demerit points
If you’re stuck in traffic and you’re tempted to cut through the service station to get to your destination, think again! Though tempting, it is illegal and falls under the “drive on or over footpath” road rule. It is a no-no and could cost you $349 and 3 demerit points. Probably less costly to just sit tight and wait it out, yeah? A little patience goes a long way here.
Splashing pedestrians
That’ll cost you $187
If you’re in NSW and are the type to deliberately splash individuals waiting for a bus, think again! Entertaining as it may be, you could end up with a $187 fine. The laugh is certainly not worth the cost.
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