'Listen up!': Common road habit may be illegal after all

But, a lot of people think the ruling is a bit dramatic.

When you’re driving, distractions are incredibly important to avoid - whether it’s eating and drinking, touching your phone or, according to NSW Road Safety, listening to music.

Transport for NSW has come out to clarify the legality of a road habit so many of us are doing, but not everyone is happy about it.

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Image: Facebook / NSW Road Safety - NSW GOV.

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"Listen up!"

NSW Road Safety - NSW GOV has taken to Facebook to clarify the rules around using headphones whilst driving.

“Headphone fans... listen up,” the post began.

“The NSW Road Rules don't mention headphone or earphone use while driving, but they require that drivers maintain proper control.

“Having audio playing in your ear can distract from the road, hindering your ability to concentrate on driving safely or hear the sounds around you like sirens or horns.”

So, in short, whilst there's no specific law in NSW, or anywhere in Australia, prohibiting wearing headphones while driving, it could cause you some grief if it's deemed a factor in a car accident. If you're also found to have been using your phone, it's a recipe for disaster.

They also said that for anyone not on their full licence, it’s a complete no no.

“L & P platers aren't allowed to use phones for any reason while driving, so headphones connected to a phone can't be used,” they said.

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“Give us all a break”

Many commenters on the post were fuming over this rule, saying that calling it illegal is dramatic and overbearing, given the common use of a loud car radio system.

“Time to remove the radio/entertainment unit from every vehicle as audio in your ear can be distracting and the ear is the only place audio goes,” one commenter said sarcastically.

“I think the big computer screens would be a lot more distracting,” said another.

“Give us all a break. If its so dangerous make headphone wearing in a car illegal. Better still produce the facts outlining the level of danger rather than smothering us all with ‘motherhood statements’,” a third said.

“Okay but grandma can take a call on her Bluetooth stereo so loud I can hear the conversation vibrating the doors from outside the car and that’s fine?” another questioned.

“It should be illegal!”

However, just as many were questioning why someone would do it in the first place, given that these inbuilt systems are just as good.

“This is a great gripe of mine. Drivers totally oblivious of what's around them. Most cars nowadays have good sound systems, and can be connected to a mobile via Bluetooth. Calls can be received by hands-free. Music can be played without compromising awareness of other traffic,” said one commenter.

“I've personally wondered why people wear them while driving by themselves anyway, considering most cars have Bluetooth now (which you can still use Spotify, iHeart radio etc. with, even though not as seamless as Apple Carplay / Android Auto),” another agreed.

Some even suggested that because of this, it should be illegal.

“I have worked with people who wear ear pods and when talking to them and after they remove the pods, they have to ask me what I have just said...says something about wearing them while driving. Should be banned while driving,” one commenter asserted.

“Always thought this was illegal TBH. Seems like an incredibly stupid thing to do as it surely impairs situational awareness,” another agreed.

“It should be illegal. Anything that distracts the driver should be illegal,” a third person said.

Originally published as 'Listen up!': Common road habit may be illegal after all