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Road safety: do you know the rules?
We all know speeding is a big no no—but there are many other less obvious ways to break the law on the road. Here’s a few national and state-specific road rules, from the smartphone-era ones to the plain wacky.
[Interviewer]
How well do you think you know Australia's Road Rules? Because today we hit the streets to find out if Aussies actually know theirs.
[Interviewer]
Can you use your smartphone while driving?
[Interviewee 1]
No. Oh—no. Don’t put that on!
[Interviewer]
Can you use FaceTime while you're driving?
[Interviewees 2A & B]
No.
[Interviewee 1]
No.
[Interviewee 3]
No.
[Interviewee 4]
Definitely not.
[Interviewee 5]
No way!
[Interviewer]
That is correct. Plot twist—is it illegal for the front seat passenger to use FaceTime while you’re driving?
[Interviewees 2A & B]
Um.
[Interviewee 6]
No.
[Interviewee 3]
Yes.
[Interviewee 7]
I wouldn’t have thought so.
[Interviewee 1]
I actually heard about this. Someone was using FaceTime and it distracted the driver, and they had an accident—so, no.
[Interviewer]
Correct! Can you use your smartphone as a GPS while you’re driving?
[Interviewees 2A & B]
A: I hope it’s not illegal because I do it all the time.
B: Yeah.
[Interviewee 7]
As long as it’s in the cradle, at the front of the dashboard.
[Interviewer]
You are allowed to use your smartphone as a GPS, if it’s mounted properly.
[Interviewee 5]
Right.
[Interviewer]
But, if we were in Tasmania, that would be completely illegal.
[Interviewer]
Can you honk your horn in traffic?
[Interviewees 2A & B]
B: Okay, I’m from Argentina. I’d say, yes—please, yes. I honk a lot in Argentina.
A: It’s a South American thing.
[Interviewee 3]
Er—depends on the circumstances.
[Interviewee 8]
Er—if someone’s merging into your lane and you want to notify them that you’re there.
[Interviewer]
What about if you’re honking goodbye—like honk, honk, bye grandma! Is that illegal?
[Interviewee 6]
No?
[Interviewee 1]
I didn’t think it’s illegal, but nana would probably be like ‘’what’s going on here, yo!’’
[Interviewee 5]
I do it, but I’m assuming it’s wrong because it’d be distracting to other people.
[Interviewer]
You can use your horn if it’s to communicate to another driver that you’re coming close?
[Interviewee 5]
Stop doing that! It’s illegal!
[Interviewer]
Can you drive while any part of your body is outside of the car?
[Interviewee 8]
No.
[Interviewee 5]
No, but I’ve seen a lot of people do it anyway!
[Interviewees 9A & B]
A: No! Cos, your hand could get chopped off!
[Interviewee 7]
No.
[Interviewer]
That is correct.
[Interviewees 9A & B]
A: I was right! I was right!
[Interviewer]
Can you use your smartphone to pay in a drive-through?
[Interviewee 8]
Oh, that’s a tough one.
[Interviewee 4]
I’ve never experienced it.
[Interviewees 9A & B]
B: Turned it off, and the engine is going—then yes, you can.
[Interviewer]
That is correct!
[Interviewer]
Can you flash your lights at cars to let them know that there is a speed camera?
[Interviewee 5]
I mean, it’s a nice thing to do.
[Interviewee 4]
I usually do that, yes.
[Interviewee 1]
But isn’t that friendly? Like, you got a bit of a friendship going with the other cars? I mean, letting them know.
[Interviewee 3]
No, you can’t.
[Interviewer]
You actually can—NOT do that. No, you cannot.
[Interviewer]
You’ve never done that?
[Interviewee 4]
No, no, no. Never, never, never.
[Interviewer]
How many kilos of potatoes can you transport in your car? Is it A: 55 kilos? B: 60 kilos? Or C: 75 kilos of potatoes?
[Interviewee 1]
I’m going to go with B.
[Interviewee 5]
Let’s go with A.
[Interviewer]
You can actually transport as many potatoes as your heart desires, in Victoria. But in Western Australia, you can only transport up to 50 kilos of potatoes—since 1946.
[Interviewee 5]
Wait, hang on a second.
[Interviewee 6]
Interesting—I’ll be on Google after this.
[Interviewee 1]
Not something you do every day!
[Theme music]
Lucky you’re with AAMI!
Smartphone safety
Pay attention smartphone addicts, this one’s for you.
In NSW, front seat passengers can’t use FaceTime
Yes, even if you’re not driving! If you’re sitting at the front in NSW, you’ll have to resist the pull of cat filters and video calls—it’s distracting for the driver! The next time you’re riding shotgun and the urge to document the road consumes you, do it the old-fashioned way and snap a pic.
In TAS, you can’t use your smartphone for GPS
Sorry solo road trippers, your phone can’t be your guide to the open road in Tasmania. In the island state, it’s illegal to touch any part of your mobile phone while driving, even if it’s mounted. Remember that ‘Floor is Lava’ game you played as a kid? When you’re coasting through Tassie, try the adult version and keep your hands off your phone.
Though, there is a loophole to this rule—have your phone mounted and avoid touching it at all times. Otherwise, take a lesson from the 90s and use a physical map and a friend.
You can’t pay with your phone at a fast food drive-through
Maccas runs: we all love ‘em, we all do ‘em. But you could be breaking the law on your quest for a cheeseburger. Using your phone at a drive-through can get you demerit points and a fine of up to $500 on top of your meal. Do your next Maccas run the legal way: apply the handbrake, switch the engine off, then get out your phone to pay.
Road etiquette
These rules aren’t just good manners—they’re the law!
You can’t stick your arms or legs out of car windows
You’re cruising down the road, the wind is blowing, your arm is lazily draped across the side of your car—sounds great, but it’s also illegal! Keep your limbs to yourself (even if you’re a passenger), or risk hefty fines.
You can’t honk your horn for no reason
The only valid reason to honk your horn is when there’s a traffic or safety concern. And no, road rage doesn’t count.
In NSW, you can’t splash mud on people waiting for the bus
NSW locals best be careful driving near bus stops on rainy days. In this south-eastern state drivers can be fined up to $2,200 for splashing mud on public bus passengers. That’s taking mud stains seriously!
Headlights
You can’t flash your lights to warn other drivers of speed cameras
If you’ve considered a pact with local drivers to warn of speed cameras, reconsider it. Lay off those lights, or risk fines and demerits. Remember, speed limits are there for a reason.
Fog lights can only be used in fog conditions
It’s easy to get the various types of car lights mixed up. Sometimes you reach for the fog lights when you meant to press the running ones. In normal conditions this is distracting to other drivers, and also illegal.
The plain random
In WA, you can’t transport over 50kg potatoes unless you’re a member of a potato corporation
What can you do with 50kg of potatoes? The possibilities are endless—gigantic potato pie, dodgy French fry den. Sorry to smash your potato fantasies, but it’s an offence unless you’ve bought the potatoes from a retailer authorised by the Potato Corporation of WA.
Potato smuggling is a serious crime. Police can search suspected vehicles, and fines go up to $5000, along with further penalties up to twice the value of the potatoes. We don’t know about you, but we’d say tomatoes are a safer bet.
If you get into an accident with a distracted (smartphone using) driver, or your car gets hit by a truckload of potatoes in WA—AAMI can help! Our Comprehensive Car Insurance will give you cover for damage to your car as well as other people’s vehicles and property. Add on Roadside Assist and AAMI will rescue you if you’re stranded after an emergency (either regular or potato-related). Sign up online now and get $50 off your AAMI Comprehensive Car Insurance!
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Read more:
- Take the quiz: why you shouldn’t use a mobile phone while driving
- Australia’s most dangerous roads of 2019—revealed!
- Car safety tips for summer
Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 AFSL 230859 (AAI) trading as AAMI. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement before making a decision about this insurance. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.
