Road rule mistakes you might be making in NSW
To save you wallet damage and demerit points, we’ve rounded up some of the road rules you may not know you're breaking while driving in NSW.
By Remy Taylor,
April 18, 2023
NSW drivers (don’t yet) start your engines because you’re about to get a log-book schooling that may surprise you. Did you know that some of your seemingly innocent driving habits might be landing you in hot water with the law?
To save you some serious wallet damage and demerit points, we’ve rounded up some of the road rules you may not know you’re breaking while driving in NSW.
Speeding up to yellow traffic lights
When it comes to traffic lights, many Aussie drivers mistakenly believe it’s ok to gun it and pray to the traffic gods. But Yellow actually means stop. Next time you see a yellow light, remember to hit the brakes or pay the price.
It’ll cost you
$469 fine and 3 demerit points, and just so you know, it’s $587 and 4 demerit points if you’re within a school zone.
Using high beams
It’s not just annoying, it’s dangerous to use your high beams when driving less than 200 metres behind a vehicle in the same direction or an oncoming vehicle.
It’ll cost you
$112 fine and one demerit point.
Not keeping safe following distances
All drivers have experienced them, but the truth is, no one likes a tailgater. And for good reason. Drivers must keep a good amount of distance behind the vehicle in front of them to avoid a collision.
Not sure whether you’re staying far away enough from the car in front? Try selecting a mark or object on the left-hand side of the road and count “one thousand one, two thousand two, three thousand three” as the rear of the vehicle ahead passes the object.
Plus, don’t forget to increase your distance during poor driving conditions, such as rain or dim light.
It’ll cost you
$469 fine and 3 demerit points.
Beeping the horn and waving
An innocent beep to say goodbye after visiting family or friends could put you at risk of not one but two fines.
Honking the horn is one thing, but if you think waving your hands or arms out of the window is a good alternative, think again!
It’ll cost you
$349 fine for beeping the horn and $349 for waving.
Throwing an apple core from a car
Biodegradable? Feeding the local fauna? Right? Wrong. Throwing food scraps is not only seen as littering in the eyes of the law (not a normal part of the surroundings or environment), but it can be dangerous to wildlife and other drivers by encouraging animals to come to the edge of the road for food.
It’ll cost you
$450 and no points
Driving with an animal on your lap
Sounds like a good idea at the time, but not so good when you cop a hefty fine. It’s a serious road violation as a driver must have proper control of the vehicle, and having an animal or another person on your lap while driving is not considered to have proper control.
It’ll cost you
$481 fine and three demerit points, with harsher rules in school zones.
Though they may seem innocent, they’re not in the eyes of the law. You’ll thank us next time you go to commit any of these common offences on the way to your next destination! Happy (and safe) driving.
