Here are seven Australian road rules you might not know about.
There’s no such a thing as safe drink driving
Source: Pixabay
Australia has strict laws about drinking alcohol and driving, with the legal limit set at 0.05 blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Learners and probationary license-holders must have a 0.00 BAC.
Talking or texting on a hand-held mobile phone while driving is illegal
Source: (Dark Horse)
It also includes holding the phone away from your face on loud speaker even while stationary in traffic. Also in NSW, if you get caught using a hand held mobile phone in a school zone the fine is $397 and four demerit points.
Driving through an orange traffic light if it was deemed you had time to stop is illegal
Source: traffic lights by AAP Image-Dan Himbrechts
Both in NSW and Victoria it carries the same offence as running a red light: $397 and three demerit points in NSW and $282 and three demerit points in Victoria.
Not stopping at a stop sign is illegal
Source: AAP
A stop sign means stop. Police warns it’s not a roll through. The car must come to a complete stop and the wheels must stop moving. Failing to do so is a $282 ticket and three demerit points in Victoria and $298 and three demerit points in NSW.
Tooting your horn and waving goodbye is illegal
Source: Supplied
A toot of the horn and a wave goodbye out the window as you drive down the street could cost you almost $600 and three demerit points in NSW. In Victoria, the toot and wave will set you back $282 but no points.
Driving with an animal on your lap is illegal
Source: VicRoads via Facebook
In NSW the fine is $397 and three demerit points, in Victoria it’s $211 but no demerit points are taken off you.
Driving barefoot is OK!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Driving barefoot is legal in both NSW and Victoria. In fact, , especially if the option is thongs or high heels!
Put your driver's knowledge to the test with this practice quiz created by SBS Italian - based on questions asked by RMS NSW (note though that exact laws vary by state).