Too good to be legal? Kmart’s $5 car fix under scrutiny
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If you’ve ever tried to enjoy a cheeky Macca’s run on the road—balancing a box of hot chips in one hand and a tub of Sweet ‘n’ Sour in the other—you’ll know the struggle is real.
The car seat becomes a battlefield, your console a casualty, and your shirt…well, let’s just say it’s seen better days.
But Kmart, the home of affordable solutions for just about everything, has just dropped a new $5 gadget that’s got Aussies talking—and not just about its cleverness.
Introducing the Car Chip and Dip Holder: a nifty little contraption designed to fit snugly into your car’s cup holder, keeping your fries and sauce upright, accessible, and (hopefully) off your lap.
It’s the kind of invention that makes you wonder why it didn’t exist sooner. Kmart says it’s 'selling very fast', and social media is abuzz with praise for this 'genius' road trip companion.
But as with all things that seem too good to be true, there’s a catch—or at least, a question mark. Some eagle-eyed Aussies have raised a very important point: is it actually legal to use this while driving?
Let’s clear up the confusion. Contrary to popular belief, there’s no specific law in Australia that outright bans eating while driving. However, the law does require that drivers maintain proper control of their vehicle at all times.
Both New South Wales and Victoria, for example, have road safety legislation stating that a driver must not drive unless they have proper control of the vehicle.
If you’re caught munching on chips and it’s deemed to be distracting you from the road, you could be hit with a fine or even demerit points.
The NRMA (National Roads and Motorists’ Association) sums it up well: eating isn’t technically illegal, but if it impairs your ability to drive safely, you’re just as likely to get in trouble as if you were texting or fiddling with the radio.
So, while the Car Chip and Dip Holder itself isn’t illegal, using it irresponsibly could land you in hot water.
Kmart has responded to the concerns, reminding customers that the product is designed to fit into standard cup holders and should only be used when it doesn’t interfere with the driver’s attention or control of the vehicle.
The response online has been a mix of excitement and caution. Some shoppers are calling it a 'game changer' and joking that it’s the invention they never knew they needed.
Source: rach_jordan / Instagram.
Others are already dreaming up new versions—'Where’s the KFC chips and gravy edition?'—while a few are more practical, wondering where their drinks will go now that the cup holder is occupied.
Of course, there are also the realists: 'If I buy this, I know I have a problem,' one person quipped. Another asked the all-important question: 'Good idea if you want to cop a fine.'
What do you think, members? Is this a must-have for your next road trip, or a recipe for disaster? Have you ever had a snack-related mishap behind the wheel? Share your stories, tips, and thoughts in the comments below!
The car seat becomes a battlefield, your console a casualty, and your shirt…well, let’s just say it’s seen better days.
But Kmart, the home of affordable solutions for just about everything, has just dropped a new $5 gadget that’s got Aussies talking—and not just about its cleverness.
Introducing the Car Chip and Dip Holder: a nifty little contraption designed to fit snugly into your car’s cup holder, keeping your fries and sauce upright, accessible, and (hopefully) off your lap.
It’s the kind of invention that makes you wonder why it didn’t exist sooner. Kmart says it’s 'selling very fast', and social media is abuzz with praise for this 'genius' road trip companion.
Kmart’s new $5 Car Chip and Dip Holder has become a popular item, with shoppers calling it a 'genius' solution for eating chips and dip on the go. Image source: @rach_jordan / Instagram.
But as with all things that seem too good to be true, there’s a catch—or at least, a question mark. Some eagle-eyed Aussies have raised a very important point: is it actually legal to use this while driving?
Let’s clear up the confusion. Contrary to popular belief, there’s no specific law in Australia that outright bans eating while driving. However, the law does require that drivers maintain proper control of their vehicle at all times.
Both New South Wales and Victoria, for example, have road safety legislation stating that a driver must not drive unless they have proper control of the vehicle.
If you’re caught munching on chips and it’s deemed to be distracting you from the road, you could be hit with a fine or even demerit points.
The NRMA (National Roads and Motorists’ Association) sums it up well: eating isn’t technically illegal, but if it impairs your ability to drive safely, you’re just as likely to get in trouble as if you were texting or fiddling with the radio.
So, while the Car Chip and Dip Holder itself isn’t illegal, using it irresponsibly could land you in hot water.
Kmart has responded to the concerns, reminding customers that the product is designed to fit into standard cup holders and should only be used when it doesn’t interfere with the driver’s attention or control of the vehicle.
The response online has been a mix of excitement and caution. Some shoppers are calling it a 'game changer' and joking that it’s the invention they never knew they needed.
Source: rach_jordan / Instagram.
Others are already dreaming up new versions—'Where’s the KFC chips and gravy edition?'—while a few are more practical, wondering where their drinks will go now that the cup holder is occupied.
Of course, there are also the realists: 'If I buy this, I know I have a problem,' one person quipped. Another asked the all-important question: 'Good idea if you want to cop a fine.'
What do you think, members? Is this a must-have for your next road trip, or a recipe for disaster? Have you ever had a snack-related mishap behind the wheel? Share your stories, tips, and thoughts in the comments below!
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