Simple habit that could cost you $323 while driving—are you guilty?
- Replies 17
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.'
'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
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.
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.'
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
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