Queensland’s strangest laws and how you can be punished
From messy tow truck drivers to playing an instrument in a car and weapons concealed in walking sticks, some of the strangest laws in Queensland have been revealed.
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From messy tow truck drivers to playing an instrument in a car and weapons concealed in walking sticks, some of the strangest laws in Queensland have been revealed.
Here are 10 of the state’s weirdest rules – and the punishments you can face for them.
Instruments
You or your passenger can’t play a loud instrument while in the car. The size of the instrument doesn’t matter … only how loud it is. A piano would be absolutely fine (ignoring the obvious size issue), but a clarinet? Nope you’re out of luck.
Maximum penalty: A fine of $1437
Source: Transport Operations (Road Use Management — Road Rules) Regulation 2009
Whips
You cannot use a whip to annoy (or excite) someone while standing on, or walking across, or driving on a road. If you have no plans to annoy anyone but want to carry a whip around you may end up facing a fine if you go anywhere near a road.
Maximum penalty: A fine of $1437
Source: Traffic Regulation 1962
Walking stick swords
Concealing a sword inside of a walking stick is illegal. You’re not very likely to break this law very often but in case you’re tempted: it could land you in jail. You are also required to store your walking stick sword safely.
Maximum penalty: Two years in jail
Source: Weapons Categories Regulation 1997
Tow truck drivers
Tow truck drivers must be neatly dressed. A massive fine applies to anyone operating a tow truck that does not follow this rule. If you’re a tow truck driver and you haven’t ironed your work uniform before you leave the house you may just regret it.
Maximum penalty: A fine of $2876
Source: Tow Truck Regulation 2009
Dead bodies
You cannot touch a dead body, even if someone says they will pay you to do so. Exceptions of course apply if you work as a mortician, but without prior approval or have a valid cause to touch said body you could face jail time.
Maximum penalty: Two years in jail
Source: Criminal Code Act 1899
Fake names
If you want to masquerade as Harold Bishop or Olivia Newton-John at the next election: I’ve got some bad news. You cannot vote under a fictitious name, or on behalf of someone that has died.
Maximum penalty: Three years in jail
Source: Criminal Code Act 1899
Studded gloves
Studded gloves are illegal. If you plan to go to an theme party, all the studs on the gloves must be soft. If there’s even the slightest risk of the studs causing bodily harm to another human being, you could end up with a fine.
Maximum penalty: A fine of $1437
Source: Weapons Categories Regulation 1997
Stealing cattle
You cannot steal cattle. This is actually one of Queensland’s oldest pieces of legislation, dating back to 1853. It’s not that this is a weird law, but rather the fact that it needed to be a law back in the 1800s and is still a law is interesting.
Maximum penalty: No fine mentioned.
Source: Cattle Stealing Prevention Act 1853
Car doors
If you leave your car doors unlocked you could potentially be fined. On the other hand if you unlawfully enter a car that has an unlocked door, you can face up to 14 years’ jail time.
Maximum penalty: A fine of $2876
Source: Transport Operations (Road Use Management — Road Rules) Regulation 2009
Mobility scooters
You cannot go for a joy ride on a mobility scooter as 25km/h is as fast as you are legally allowed to ride. If someone offers you a ride on their mobility scooter you should say no.
Maximum penalty: A fine of $1437
Source: Transport Operations (Road Use Management — Road Rules) Regulation 2009
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