Beware: Little-known road rule leads to hefty fines and imprisonment
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Navigating the roads can be a tricky business, and for drivers, staying up-to-date with the ever-evolving road rules is crucial.
But there's one little-known law that could catch many of us off guard, and it concerns something as seemingly harmless as using your car horn.
A prominent Australian solicitor has recently highlighted a road rule that many drivers might not be aware of, which could lead to hefty fines or even imprisonment.
The law states that drivers should only use their car horns for specific purposes: to warn other drivers, to alert animals to their vehicle's approach, or as part of an anti-theft or alcohol interlock device.
Any other use could be considered inappropriate and, therefore, an offence.
‘Whether it’s beeping to greet friends or family members or out of frustration of others’ driving, honking your horn inappropriately is an offence,’ Sydney lawyer Avinash Singh shared.
‘No matter what state you’re driving in, a vehicle's horn can only be used to warn other drivers or alert animals about the approach or position of their vehicle.’
‘The only exception to this is if the horn is being used as part of an anti-theft device or an alcohol interlock. Drivers caught using their horn in situations outside of these could face possible imprisonment and fines of over $3,000, depending on which state they reside.'
Penalties for using car horns vary by state: New South Wales has a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units, currently $2,200; Victoria imposes a fine of 1 penalty unit, valued at $197.59.
Queensland also has a maximum of 20 penalty units, amounting to $3,226; Western Australia fines one penalty unit, currently $50.
South Australia imposes a $323 fine; the Northern Territory imposes up to 20 penalty units ($3,700) or six months imprisonment; Tasmania's fine is $146.25; and the Australian Capital Territory issues a $264 infringement penalty, with a maximum of 20 penalty units ($3,200).
Given the significant variations and strict enforcement, it's crucial to be aware of and adhere to local regulations regarding car horn use.
A sobering statistic underscores the urgency of adhering to road rules: Australia's road network recorded its deadliest six months in the first half of 2024, the worst in over 13 years.
The Australian Automobile Association's report showed a 7.3 per cent increase in deaths from 2022 to 2023, with 1,266 people losing their lives last year.
The second half of 2023 was particularly grim, marking the deadliest consecutive quarters since 2010, with 677 road deaths.
Significant increases in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia drove this spike in the national road toll.
In related news, the legality of flashing headlights to warn other drivers about speed cameras or other hazards differs across Australian states and territories.
In New South Wales, while no specific law prohibits flashing headlights, drivers can face fines for dazzling other road users or using high beams within 200 metres of another vehicle. Read more about this news here.
Have you ever been fined for misusing your car horn, or do you know someone who has? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
But there's one little-known law that could catch many of us off guard, and it concerns something as seemingly harmless as using your car horn.
A prominent Australian solicitor has recently highlighted a road rule that many drivers might not be aware of, which could lead to hefty fines or even imprisonment.
The law states that drivers should only use their car horns for specific purposes: to warn other drivers, to alert animals to their vehicle's approach, or as part of an anti-theft or alcohol interlock device.
Any other use could be considered inappropriate and, therefore, an offence.
‘Whether it’s beeping to greet friends or family members or out of frustration of others’ driving, honking your horn inappropriately is an offence,’ Sydney lawyer Avinash Singh shared.
A solicitor warned Australian drivers about a little-known car horn rule that could result in hefty fines. Credit: Shutterstock
‘No matter what state you’re driving in, a vehicle's horn can only be used to warn other drivers or alert animals about the approach or position of their vehicle.’
‘The only exception to this is if the horn is being used as part of an anti-theft device or an alcohol interlock. Drivers caught using their horn in situations outside of these could face possible imprisonment and fines of over $3,000, depending on which state they reside.'
Penalties for using car horns vary by state: New South Wales has a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units, currently $2,200; Victoria imposes a fine of 1 penalty unit, valued at $197.59.
Queensland also has a maximum of 20 penalty units, amounting to $3,226; Western Australia fines one penalty unit, currently $50.
South Australia imposes a $323 fine; the Northern Territory imposes up to 20 penalty units ($3,700) or six months imprisonment; Tasmania's fine is $146.25; and the Australian Capital Territory issues a $264 infringement penalty, with a maximum of 20 penalty units ($3,200).
Given the significant variations and strict enforcement, it's crucial to be aware of and adhere to local regulations regarding car horn use.
A sobering statistic underscores the urgency of adhering to road rules: Australia's road network recorded its deadliest six months in the first half of 2024, the worst in over 13 years.
The Australian Automobile Association's report showed a 7.3 per cent increase in deaths from 2022 to 2023, with 1,266 people losing their lives last year.
The second half of 2023 was particularly grim, marking the deadliest consecutive quarters since 2010, with 677 road deaths.
Significant increases in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia drove this spike in the national road toll.
In related news, the legality of flashing headlights to warn other drivers about speed cameras or other hazards differs across Australian states and territories.
In New South Wales, while no specific law prohibits flashing headlights, drivers can face fines for dazzling other road users or using high beams within 200 metres of another vehicle. Read more about this news here.
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, my mates and I are flabbergasted 
, we didn’t know that rule and we usually toot the horn to say Gidday as we drive past, thanks for the heads up 
guys but I’m from the sticks and they never let us know out there about using a car horn, we’re not ignorant we just weren’t told.
you should say that Dave, I’m in a four wheel drive club and we just got back onto the bitumen where we got pulled over by the WA cops for having dirty cars, I think it was the registration plates they couldn’t see, we wiped them clean and made them happy 
so they let us go……Rick
