Hundreds of Aussies copping fines for road rules they didn't know existed
New statistics have shown that hundreds of Aussie motorists are receiving fines for obscure road rules that many have never even heard of.
Some of these lesser known road rules include hanging an arm or leg outside of a vehicle window or sitting your pet on your lap.
The RACQ data shows that in a 12-month period, 400 motorists, in Queensland alone, received fines up to $126 for having a part of a person’s body outside a window or door. A further 52 drivers also received fines for improperly honking their horn.
Another 170 were set back up to $294 for having an animal on their lap while in a car. And in the same 12-month period, 113 pedestrians in Queensland were fined for obstructing a vehicle.
Cyclists have also been caught out by lesser-known road rules, with 66 riders being issued an infringement notice for riding without a bell.
“Obviously, there are many motorists copping fines for breaking rules they may not be aware of,” said RACQ spokeswoman Lauren Ritchie.
“These road rules may seem insignificant to some but they’re in place to keep all road users safe.”
NSW’s Centre for Road Safety told news.com.au that there are a number of obscure rules that drivers need to be aware of.
In NSW, a motorist must take due care to not splash any pedestrian walking or waiting at a bus stop.
NSW drivers must also not stop within one metre of a fire hydrant, fire hydrant indicator or a fire plug indicator.
Drivers also must not interfere with or interrupt the free passage of a funeral or authorised procession.
In NSW, children aged 4-7 are not allowed to travel in the front seat of a vehicle that has two or more rows. This rule has an exception for children in an approved booster seat if all other back seats are occupied by children younger than seven years.
In Victoria, motorists can receive a $476 fine for forgetting to lock their car while paying for fuel at a petrol station.
The rule states that you must secure the windows and lock the doors of an unattended vehicle when you are more than 3 metres away.
If drivers leave their keys in the ignition and are more than 3 metres away from their vehicle, without anyone else sitting in the car, they can also be fined $476.
Drivers in Victoria can also be hit with a fine of up to $317 for flashing their lights to warn vehicles of a speed camera or police vehicle.
RACQ spokeswoman Lauren Ritchie said, “Ignorance of road rules isn’t a valid excuse so we urge everyone to refresh their knowledge, whether they’re a cyclist, a pedestrian, a driver or a passenger.”
Have you ever received a fine for an obscure road rule? If so, share your story in the comments below.