Simple habit that could cost you $323 while driving—are you guilty?

As the Australian summer heats up, many of us are looking for ways to stay cool on the road, particularly those who drive older cars without the luxury of air conditioning.

It's common to see drivers cruising to catch a breeze with their windows down.

However, a recent incident has highlighted a costly mistake that could see drivers fined heavily, and it's a habit that many might not even realise is against the law.


In South Australia, a young driver named Charlotte Nicholls learned this lesson hard when the police pulled her over for what she thought was an innocent action.

Charlotte was driving with her arm hanging out of the car window, a gesture many of us might associate with relaxation and enjoying the drive.

To her surprise, the officer informed her that she was being stopped 'for protruding my lovely luscious limbs outside the window.'


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A young South Australian driver was warned for violating road rules by sticking an arm out of the window. Credit: pixdeluxe / iStock


'I had no idea it was illegal,' Charlotte said.

The truth is that driving with any part of your body outside the vehicle is an offence under the Australian Road Rules.

This includes something seemingly harmless, such as resting your arm on the open window sill.


The penalties for this offence are steep. In Charlotte's home state, the fine for this infraction is $221, plus a $102 Victims of Crime Levy, with three demerit points.

Across Australia, the fines and demerit points vary, but the message is clear: always keep your limbs inside the vehicle.

Charles Mountain, RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure, emphasised the importance of adhering to this rule.

'Drivers should be aware that driving with any part of your body outside the vehicle is illegal,' he stated.

He advised those with questions about road rules to contact RAA’s Road Safety team for guidance.

Reflecting on her actions, Charlotte admitted that putting her hand outside her open window was a 'really bad habit' she had developed over time.


Fortunately for her, she was let off with just a caution, but the experience was an eye-opener.

'The police officer was so professional and kind, and I was grateful for the warning because it is a safety risk,' she said.

The incident sparked a conversation online, with many people admitting they were unaware that such a habit was against the law.

Others shared their own experiences of being pulled over for the same reason.

It's a reminder that even the most seasoned Australian drivers might need to be fully versed in the nuances of road rules.

For those curious about the fines in other states, they are equally as significant.


In New South Wales, drivers can face fines of around $349 and three demerit points.

In Victoria, an on-the-spot fine of $185 can be issued, escalating to $555 and three penalty points if the matter goes to court.

Queenslanders could be fined $268 and incur three demerit points for the same offence.

Legal expert Avinash Singh pointed out that this type of offence is 'more common than most people think,' largely due to a lack of awareness.

Tourists, in particular, risk falling foul of these rules, as they may only be in the country for a short time and unfamiliar with local laws.


In other news, a Perth woman raised awareness of a little-known road rule, warning that drivers can be fined and receive demerit points for hanging items, like air fresheners, from their rearview mirrors.

Penalties for this offence vary by state, with fines and demerit points increasing if the item obstructs the driver's view. You can read more about it here.


Credit: TikTok

Key Takeaways
  • A young South Australian driver was warned by police for sticking her arm out of the car window, a violation of road rules.
  • Offences like protruding body parts from a car can lead to fines and demerit points in Australia, with penalties varying by state.
  • unaware of the rule, the driver was cautioned and realised it was a safety risk.
  • Experts and lawyers highlight that many drivers need to be made aware of this particular rule, and it's more common than people think for drivers to be fined for such offences.
Have you or someone you know ever been fined for a little-known road offence? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
 

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Cops are out for every fine they can hit you up for to raise money for revenue. they will fine you the trivial thing they can get you for. Even more so over the holiday season including fake speeding fines, phone fines etc. The government has to make up for all the money they handed out for so called cost of living relief. They will get it back any way they can so beware.
 
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Cops are out for every fine they can hit you up for to raise money for revenue. they will fine you the trivial thing they can get you for. Even more so over the holiday season including fake speeding fines, phone fines etc. The government has to make up for all the money they handed out for so called cost of living relief. They will get it back any way they can so beware.
Police don't make the rules, they just try to enforce them, to keep idiots off the roads and the rest of us safe.
 
Innocent BS, the rule of 'having no part of your body outside of the car' has been around since I got my licence 5½ decades ago and this is also a rule to get your licence. People need to stop the excuses and adhere to the road rules and then wouldn't get fined.
Not in Victoria 60+ years ago.
 
How could you not know this was illegal? It's been a rule for a looong time.

Also, having anything inside the car that obscures your vision is dangerous and should be illegal. I see drivers with phone holders attached to their windscreen and shake my head, because I know they have created a blind spot and a massive distraction.

The young ones have no excuses because they would have only recently passed their road rule test...dah!

When will people learn?
 
From the Queensland Transport Operations (Road Use
Management—Road Rules) Regulation 2009 - Section 268 - How persons must travel in or on a motor vehicle.

(3) A person must not travel in or on a motor vehicle with any
part of the person’s body outside a window or door of the
vehicle, unless the person is the driver of the vehicle and is
giving a hand signal—
(a) for changing direction to the right in accordance with
section 50; or
(b) for stopping or slowing in accordance with section 55.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(4) The driver of a motor vehicle (except a bus) must not drive
with a passenger if any part of the passenger’s body is outside
a window or door of the vehicle.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units

Could somebody tell me why this rule is in existence? Years ago, I was told it so a person does not lose a limb or other body part in the event of a motor vehicle crash.

Damn feeble excuse if you ask me!
 
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From the Queensland Transport Operations (Road Use
Management—Road Rules) Regulation 2009 - Section 268 - How persons must travel in or on a motor vehicle.


(3) A person must not travel in or on a motor vehicle with any
part of the person’s body outside a window or door of the
vehicle, unless the person is the driver of the vehicle and is
giving a hand signal—
(a) for changing direction to the right in accordance with
There was a campaign quite a few years ago reminding drivers of this rule. It was very effective in stopping this practice. It’s time for a repeat.section 50; or
(b) for stopping or slowing in accordance with section 55.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(4) The driver of a motor vehicle (except a bus) must not drive
with a passenger if any part of the passenger’s body is outside
a window or door of the vehicle.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units

Could somebody tell me why this rule is in existence? Years ago, I was told it so a person does not lose a limb or other body part in the event of a motor vehicle crash.

Damn feeble excuse if you ask me!
 
From the Queensland Transport Operations (Road Use
Management—Road Rules) Regulation 2009 - Section 268 - How persons must travel in or on a motor vehicle.


(3) A person must not travel in or on a motor vehicle with any
part of the person’s body outside a window or door of the
vehicle, unless the person is the driver of the vehicle and is
giving a hand signal—
(a) There was a campaign highlighting this offence quite a few years ago. It was very effective in stopping this practice. It’s time for a repeat.for changing direction to the right in accordance with
section 50; or
(b) for stopping or slowing in accordance with section 55.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(4) The driver of a motor vehicle (except a bus) must not drive
with a passenger if any part of the passenger’s body is outside
a window or door of the vehicle.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units

Could somebody tell me why this rule is in existence? Years ago, I was told it so a person does not lose a limb or other body part in the event of a motor vehicle crash.

Damn feeble excuse if you ask me!
 
There was a campaign highlighting this offence quite a few years ago. It was very effective in stopping this practice. There is a new generation of drivers. It’s time for a repeat.
 
Cops are out for every fine they can hit you up for to raise money for revenue. they will fine you the trivial thing they can get you for. Even more so over the holiday season including fake speeding fines, phone fines etc. The government has to make up for all the money they handed out for so called cost of living relief. They will get it back any way they can so beware.
I know somebody who was accused of using a phone while driving. At that stage the person didn't own a phone.
 
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Cops are out for every fine they can hit you up for to raise money for revenue. they will fine you the trivial thing they can get you for. Even more so over the holiday season including fake speeding fines, phone fines etc. The government has to make up for all the money they handed out for so called cost of living relief. They will get it back any way they can so beware.
If you're not breaking the law you won't get fined. It's not the police's fault if you're being an idiot.
This rule has been around for as long as I can remember, and young drivers have no excuse as they should be more aware of the rules as they've only recently got their licence. Us oldies have had plenty of time to "forget".
 
Last edited:
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Rules are made because there are a lot of stupid people. Rules are there to try to save stupid people from themselves and others. I am aware of a young bloke climbing out of the window to get a beer from the back tray of the ute…while the ute was being driven at speed on a country road. Then first responders having to attend the fatality - brain matter all over the place. Believe me, people do not enjoy having to deal with stupidity - in fact it is very traumatic. Not revenue raising or whatever … just trying to stop stupid and save people. A fine is a deterrent - it’s not like they can give a brain transplant to stop stupidity. A hard concept for some to grasp?
 
Cops are out for every fine they can hit you up for to raise money for revenue. they will fine you the trivial thing they can get you for. Even more so over the holiday season including fake speeding fines, phone fines etc. The government has to make up for all the money they handed out for so called cost of living relief. They will get it back any way they can so beware.
Fines go to state governments NOT federal.
 
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Reactions: Ezzy

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