Australian drivers have a reputation for getting a bit hot-headed behind the wheel, so it comes as no surprise that hefty penalties apply for unnecessarily beeping your horn and making rude hand gestures out of your car window.
But many people wouldn’t know about the large range of bizarre, less obvious offences that can get drivers and passengers in trouble with the law.
New South Wales motorists will be surprised to learn they can cop a $165 fine if they’re caught driving through a muddy puddle and splashing a pedestrian.
And music lovers who blast bass-heavy beats while driving could be slapped with a $150 fine if their tunes fall under the category of ‘offensive noise’.
Many Australians would be unaware of the many little-known driving offences they can be penalised for – like splashing a pedestrian by driving through a puddle
If a driver’s pet makes its way onto its owner’s lap while the car’s in motion, that will cost them $397 – and they will also be stripped of three demerit points.
Tech-savvy motorists providing digital TV or DVD entertainment for passengers in their car had better ensure the devices aren’t ‘likely to distract other drivers’ – because if they do, they’ll be stung $298.
However, not all NSW laws are so strict. Surprisingly, if police see a driver with an open bottle of alcohol on their lap, that’s fine – provided the beverage isn’t being consumed.
If a driver’s pet makes its way onto its owner’s lap while the car’s in motion, that will cost them $397 – and they will also be stripped of three demerit points
But rev-heads who are tempted to accelerate when they’re being overtaken by another car risk being fined $298 and losing three demerit points.
Speeding through or interrupting a funeral procession in New South Wales carries a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units, or $2,200.
Attempting to sneak through an intersection just before the traffic lights turn red is a no-no, as running an orange light can set drivers back $397 and cost them three demerit points.
Surprisingly, if the police see a driver with an open bottle of alcohol on their lap, that’s fine – provided the beverage isn’t being consumed
Leaving a vehicle unlocked and unsecured with the keys in the ignition and no one inside while the driver is more than three metres away will hit them in the hip pocket by up to $476.
Flashing your headlights to warn vehicles of an upcoming speed camera is thought of as a courtesy – but in fact it is illegal and, if caught, drivers could face a $317 fine.
Hanging body parts out of a car window can result in a penalty of up to $476, unless a hand is being used to signal traffic.
Leaving a vehicle unlocked and unsecured with keys in the ignition and no one else inside while the driver is more than three metres away can lead to a fine of up to $476
On the other hand, there’s an Australia-wide rule that says seat belts don’t have to be worn when reversing a vehicle into a parking spot.
Pedestrians and cyclists certainly aren’t exempt from the wrath of the law either, with people caught taking their time to cross the road or running across the street on a red signal eligible for a $66 on-the-spot fine.
Multitaskers looking to cycle and exercise their pet at the same time might want to think again too, as the ‘crime’ can result in a $66 charge.
And cyclists operating their bicycle in a manner deemed ‘furious’ or ‘reckless’ will be up for a $66 fine.
Hanging body parts out of car windows too can lead to a fine of up to $476, unless a hand is being used to signal traffic