Could you be risking huge fines while driving in Australia?
- Replies 18
Getting from point A to point B is a daily task we all must undertake, whether running errands, attending appointments, or heading to a wonderful holiday destination.
Unfortunately, with added responsibilities and risks, there's also an increased likelihood of breaking the rules.
It’s safe to assume that Aussie drivers are likely familiar with more popular ones such as the no-mobile phone policy, but the country’s road rules extend beyond this.
For starters, footwear rules are less known, as are restrictions on eating, drinking, applying makeup, or vaping while driving.
While driving barefoot or in flip-flops is common in summer, it's crucial to understand the nuances of wearing thongs, slides, high heels or going barefoot.
Surprisingly, driving without shoes is not against the law anywhere in the country.
However, if the police believe your footwear, or lack thereof, compromises your control of the vehicle, you could find yourself facing a substantial fine.
This is particularly relevant if the driver was part of a collision.
Examples of unsuitable footwear that might get caught on the pedals include thongs, extremely high heels, or removing shoes and leaving them where they could disrupt the pedals.
According to Road Rule 297(1) applicable in all states and territories, drivers must ‘maintain proper control of their vehicle while driving’.
Failure to do so due to inappropriate footwear or bare feet can result in a significant fine.
In New South Wales (NSW), the fine is $481 with three demerit points, increasing to $603 with four demerit points in school zones.
While in Victoria, the penalty is a $387 fine with three demerit points for the same offence.
Meanwhile, in Queensland, the Transport and Main Roads department stresses that eating or drinking while driving can be a 'serious' distraction, potentially leading to fines.
As per the department’s social media post: ‘You can be fined $575 and three demerit points if you don't have proper control of your vehicle–or if you're driving without care or attention.’
The department further clarified that switching between a distracting activity, such as ‘a sandwich in your face,' and watching the road ahead forces you to ‘change your frame of reference—which takes valuable time you might need in an emergency’.
While drivers are ‘permitted to briefly take a hand off the wheel to operate’, the act of ‘one-handing the wheel’ or diverting attention from the road to enjoy a meal may be perceived as a lack of proper control over the vehicle.
‘It's best to pull over in a safe spot to savour that sandwich,’ they advised.
In Western Australia, the penalty for the same offence is higher, amounting to $600, constituting a substantial violation.
This rule also extends to motorbikes and scooters, which legally mandate only a helmet, but for safety reasons, suitable footwear is advised.
Similar rules are also in place for drivers snacking while driving.
While it's not specifically illegal, police can issue a fine if they believe it has affected a driver's control over their vehicle.
An instance from 2018 involved a hungry teenage P-plater fined $300 for eating a bowl of cereal while driving on a Perth road.
A photo taken by a 6PR radio listener appeared to show a young woman steering her car with her knees while eating cereal. The 'cereal offender' received three demerit points for this behaviour.
‘You can't be driving a car and eating your brekkie at the same time. That is just ridiculously dangerous,' former WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson told local radio station 6PR at the time.
When it comes to consuming alcohol while driving, drink-driving laws apply.
Video source: YouTube/9 News Perth
In the case of distractions such as applying makeup or vaping, a driver not paying attention to the road may face a hefty fine if spotted by the police.
Applying lipstick or vaping discreetly likely won't attract attention, as long as the driver keeps their eyes on the road.
However, carefully applying eyeliner or unboxing a vape, even temporarily stopped in a traffic jam or at lights, could lead to trouble.
In summary, while there are no specific laws against these activities, it's left to the discretion of the police officer to determine if a driver is in proper control of their vehicle.
Members, have you or someone you know received a fine for violating less common road rules? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Unfortunately, with added responsibilities and risks, there's also an increased likelihood of breaking the rules.
It’s safe to assume that Aussie drivers are likely familiar with more popular ones such as the no-mobile phone policy, but the country’s road rules extend beyond this.
For starters, footwear rules are less known, as are restrictions on eating, drinking, applying makeup, or vaping while driving.
While driving barefoot or in flip-flops is common in summer, it's crucial to understand the nuances of wearing thongs, slides, high heels or going barefoot.
Surprisingly, driving without shoes is not against the law anywhere in the country.
Driving barefoot is legal, but fines may apply if control is deemed insufficient. Image source: Pixabay
However, if the police believe your footwear, or lack thereof, compromises your control of the vehicle, you could find yourself facing a substantial fine.
This is particularly relevant if the driver was part of a collision.
Examples of unsuitable footwear that might get caught on the pedals include thongs, extremely high heels, or removing shoes and leaving them where they could disrupt the pedals.
According to Road Rule 297(1) applicable in all states and territories, drivers must ‘maintain proper control of their vehicle while driving’.
Failure to do so due to inappropriate footwear or bare feet can result in a significant fine.
In New South Wales (NSW), the fine is $481 with three demerit points, increasing to $603 with four demerit points in school zones.
While in Victoria, the penalty is a $387 fine with three demerit points for the same offence.
Meanwhile, in Queensland, the Transport and Main Roads department stresses that eating or drinking while driving can be a 'serious' distraction, potentially leading to fines.
As per the department’s social media post: ‘You can be fined $575 and three demerit points if you don't have proper control of your vehicle–or if you're driving without care or attention.’
The department further clarified that switching between a distracting activity, such as ‘a sandwich in your face,' and watching the road ahead forces you to ‘change your frame of reference—which takes valuable time you might need in an emergency’.
While drivers are ‘permitted to briefly take a hand off the wheel to operate’, the act of ‘one-handing the wheel’ or diverting attention from the road to enjoy a meal may be perceived as a lack of proper control over the vehicle.
‘It's best to pull over in a safe spot to savour that sandwich,’ they advised.
In Western Australia, the penalty for the same offence is higher, amounting to $600, constituting a substantial violation.
This rule also extends to motorbikes and scooters, which legally mandate only a helmet, but for safety reasons, suitable footwear is advised.
Similar rules are also in place for drivers snacking while driving.
While it's not specifically illegal, police can issue a fine if they believe it has affected a driver's control over their vehicle.
An instance from 2018 involved a hungry teenage P-plater fined $300 for eating a bowl of cereal while driving on a Perth road.
A photo taken by a 6PR radio listener appeared to show a young woman steering her car with her knees while eating cereal. The 'cereal offender' received three demerit points for this behaviour.
‘You can't be driving a car and eating your brekkie at the same time. That is just ridiculously dangerous,' former WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson told local radio station 6PR at the time.
When it comes to consuming alcohol while driving, drink-driving laws apply.
Video source: YouTube/9 News Perth
In the case of distractions such as applying makeup or vaping, a driver not paying attention to the road may face a hefty fine if spotted by the police.
Applying lipstick or vaping discreetly likely won't attract attention, as long as the driver keeps their eyes on the road.
However, carefully applying eyeliner or unboxing a vape, even temporarily stopped in a traffic jam or at lights, could lead to trouble.
In summary, while there are no specific laws against these activities, it's left to the discretion of the police officer to determine if a driver is in proper control of their vehicle.
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