The bizarre road rule that's costing Australian motorists thousands of dollars each day - and you won't believe what it is
- Road rule could see you being fined $108 simply for not locking your car door
- New South Wales Police have cracking down on cars which are kept unlocked
- Police targeting Wollongong and found 30 unlocked cars with valuable property
- Rule sparked backlash from NSW Council for Civil Liberties saying police need warrants
An obscure road rule could see you being fined $108 simply for not locking your car door.
New South Wales Police have cracking down on cars which are kept unlocked in Wollongong, south of Sydney, ABC News reported.
Few drivers know the law, but in NSW it's illegal to leave your car unlocked if you're more than three metres away.
An obscure road rule could see you being fined $108 simply for not locking your car door (stock image)
Detective Inspector Brad Ainsworth was 'disappointed' that in one sweep, police found 30 unlocked cars with valuable property inside.
All the owners were either issued with warnings or knocked on their doors to remind them to lock their doors.
Detective Ainsworth said they would rather use the $108 fine as a last resort.
But the NSW Council for Civil Liberties president Stephen Blanks said police risked losing community support if they searched cars without a warrant.
Share this article
But Detective Ainsworth defended the decision, and stated it was the police's duty to prevent crime before it occurs.
In Victoria, under Road Safety Rules 2009 penalty code 2135 it is illegal to leave 'motor vehicle unattended with keys in ignition, motor running, brakes not secured or doors unlocked', with fines of $150.
In Queensland, under Section 213 Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Road Rules) Regulation 2009 failure to secure your vehicle or remove the key from the ignition could result in a $44 fine.
Detective Ainsworth defended the decision stating its the police's duty to prevent crime before it occurs (stock image)
Waving, not locking your door and even where you sit your kids: Ten VERY surprising road rules that could set you back HUNDREDS in fines
While most road rules in Australia are universal, there are some states that change the law to suit them.
Some of the rules states choose to enforce on their own accord can be eyebrow-raising.
Daily Mail Australia compiled a list of ten surprising road rules that could leave you out of pocket.
1. Waving goodbye
A bizarre road rule can see motorists fined up to $325 and a loss of three demerit points if they stick their hand out of the car to wave goodbye.
Road rule 268 (3) states that: 'A person must not travel in or on a motor with any part of the person's outside a window or door of the, unless the person is the of the and is giving a hand signal.'
This road rule isn't the strangest one that could leave a dent in your pocket either.
2. Splashing pedestrians
In New South Wales it is a crime to splash people with mud who are at a bus stop, in or on a bus or entering and leaving a bus.
This carries a maximum penalty of $2,200, according to Road Rules 2014.
But Smith Lawyers puts the cost at $165, according to their website.
A bizarre road rule can see motorists fined up to $325 and a loss of three demerit points if they stick their hand out of the car to wave goodbye
3. Failing to lock doors and secure windows
There is a road rule that states that if the driver is further than three metres from their vehicle they must lock the doors and secure the windows.
But according to Motoring, there can be a window gap.
In Queensland, you can leave windows open five centremetres, while in Victoria and New South Wales it is two centimetres.
This carries a $108 fine.
In New South Wales it is a crime to splash people with mud who are at a bus stop, in or on a bus or someone entering and leaving a bus
4. Leading an animal
A driver, cyclist or passenger 'must not lead an animal, including by tethering the animal to respective vehicle, unless the driver is permitted to do so under another law of this jurisdiction'.
A breach of this carries a maximum penalty of $2,200.
5. Cracking a whip
According to the Brisbane Times it is 'illegal to crack or use a whip so as to annoy, interfere with or endanger a person, or frighten or interfere with an animal - other than an animal the whip-wielder is using'.
This isn't on a farm, though.
It's a rule set for Queensland roads, and will set you back $47 if breached.
A passenger between four and seven isn't allowed to sit in the front seat of a car unless it is completely full, lest the driver be hit with a $330 fine
6. Seating a child up front
A passenger between four and seven isn't allowed to sit in the front seat of a car unless it is completely full, lest the driver be hit with a $330 fine.
Part 3A of rule 266 states: 'A passenger who is 4 years old or older, but is less than 7 years old, must not be in the front row of a motor vehicle that has 2 or more rows of seats unless there is no available seating position in the row or rows behind the front row in which the passenger can sit in accordance with this rule.'
7. Stopping near a crossing with 'dangerous goods'
In New South Wales the Drivers Knowledge test website states that anyone carrying 'flammable, explosive or dangerous goods' in the car needs to stop a minimum of three metres - and a maximum of 15 metres - before the crossing.
8. Failing to slow down around emergency vehicles
A South Australia road law states that you need to slow down to 25km/h when in the direct presence of emergency vehicles that have stopped on the road and have their red and blue lights flashing.
It doesn't apply if they're on the other side of the median strip, though.
The offence can carry a fine of more than $1000.
9. Having an animal in your lap
If you're caught with an animal in your lap in Queensland you can be fined $260.
RACQ states: 'And although here's no specific law, it is strongly recommended any animals are restrained in some way. This ensures the safety of all occupants of the vehicle as well as the animal itself.'
10. Driving too close to cyclists
In Queensland cyclists share the road too, and there are many laws designed to keep them safe on the road.
In zones less than 60km/h there needs to be a one metre difference.
Anything over 60km/h requires a 1.5 metre gap.
Failure to abide carries a fine of $378 and three demerit points.
While these ten road rules are out of left field, there are some truly irrelevant laws that have been abolished over the years.
In some states it was once required for taxis to carry hay, according to the Allianz website.
It comes from times when horses were more predominant on the road than cars, and taxi services were provided by horses and carts.
Most watched News videos
- Russia: Nuclear weapons in Poland would become targets in wider war
- Prince Harry presents a Soldier of the Year award to US combat medic
- 'Dine-and-dashers' confronted by staff after 'trying to do a runner'
- Moment Met Police officer tasers aggressive dog at Wembley Stadium
- Boris Johnson: Time to kick out London's do-nothing Mayor Sadiq Khan
- Shocking moment gunman allegedly shoots and kills Iraqi influencer
- Wills' rockstar reception! Prince of Wales greeted with huge cheers
- Shocking moment British woman is punched by Thai security guard
- Shocking moment pandas attack zookeeper in front of onlookers
- Don't mess with Grandad! Pensioner fights back against pickpockets
- Ashley Judd shames decision to overturn Weinstein rape conviction
- Commuters evacuate King's Cross station as smoke fills the air
