Aussie drivers forced to pay hundreds over obscure road rules

MOST Aussie drivers probably like to think they are extremely diligent in following the road rules, but there are some that can trip you up.

THERE are plenty of obvious road rules that we would like to think most Australian drivers do their best to follow every time they are out on the road.

Things like sticking to the speed limit, not using your phone while driving and obeying traffic signs are constantly drilled into motorists.

Despite this, research by finder.com.au found that 70 per cent of Aussies have admitted to participating in risky activities while behind the wheel, including texting and driving with their eyes closed.

READ: Simple fix to deadly road ‘epidemic’

But for those drivers who do endeavour to follow the rules, there are still some more obscure things they could be caught out by without even realising it.

CROSSING TRAIN TRACKS

It is important to follow signs and rules when it comes to train crossings because ignoring them could result in injury or even death.

Australian Rail Track Corporation data shows that every year in Australia there are on average 166 collisions between trains and people or vehicles, including 35 fatalities, which is why there are strict rules when it comes to crossings.

Drivers must wait 20m from the tracks and not cross until all signals have stopped. Picture: Road Users’ Handbook NSW

The rules are so strict that some drivers may not be aware that if you cross the tracks after the train has passed but the lights are still flashing then you could be slapped with nearly an $800 fine.

Victorian woman, Sam Kurikawa was fined $758 after she crossed the railway crossing as soon as the boom gate went up and bells stopped but the lights were still flashing at the time.

She said she was not aware this was illegal until she was pulled over.

“It was completely news to me, as I explained to the police officer,” Ms Kurikawa said.

“Of course I knew I had to yield at a boom gate but I assumed once it was up and the bells had stopped I was good to go”

She was shocked by the high fine and said she was “very stressed” thinking about how she was going to pay it.

”I’m on a low income and was going to a one-off job more than one-and-a-half hour return journey away. The fine was about six times the value of that work,” Ms Kurikawa said.

“What was worse, they informed me that my vehicle could be impounded, which would cause serious difficulties for me.

“I was quite fearful and extremely regretful that my ignorance and a small mistake could have quite serious consequences.”

Even if the boom is up but the lights are still on, you cannot drive through. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Thankfully the fine was later reduced — though if you are caught doing this you can expect a big fine in most states.

In NSW, entering a level crossing while signals are still flashing or a train is visible will cost you $448 and three demerit points and in the ACT you will be fined $432 and three demerit points.

The state with the highest fine behind Victoria is the Northern Territory at $500 and three demerit points.

In Queensland you’ll have to dish out $391 and cop three demerit points and in South Australia it will cost you the same amount of points and $454.

Western Australia has the lowest fine for this offence at $200 but you’ll be hit with four demerit points.

You will be fined $357 and three demerit points in Tasmania.

DISPLAYING ‘FOR SALE’ SIGNS

In some states, even having a sign indicating your vehicle is for sale could land you in hot water.

Western Australian woman, Irene, found this out the hard way after she was fined $360 for having a “For Sale” sign displayed in her husband’s van while it was parked in a metered car spot.

She was informed that these signs on cars are illegal as they are a distraction to other drivers.

It isn’t illegal everywhere, but according to the state’s Road Traffic Code the usual penalty for this is $50.

In Queensland it is illegal in some local council areas and some suburbs require you to obtain a roadside vending licence to sell your vehicle on the side of the road.

Car Insurance Expert at finder.com.au, Bessie Hassan, said that though some fines may seem over the top, they are there to reduce accidents.

“Many fines may seem trivial to the drivers who receive them, but road rules are designed to keep drivers safe,” she said.

“Breaking the law behind the wheel, no matter how small it may seem, can result in fines, loss of licence and can even affect your insurance.”

Displaying a ‘For Sale’ sign in your car could get you in trouble. Picture: iStock

WAITING AT STOP SIGNS

The right amount of time to wait at a stop sign is a rule that more drivers probably know about but it can still catch people out if they aren’t careful.

The rule is that drivers must stop for at least three seconds at a stop sign before proceeding and unless you are counting it out each time it’s possible to get ahead of yourself.

NSW woman, Mel Armstrong-Jones, was fined over $300 for not stopping correctly at a stop sign, even though she was driving slowly and stopped for two seconds.

In NSW you can be fined $337 and three demerit points for not stopping for long enough at a stop sign.

It will also cost you a three demerit points in Western Australia and Victoria, with the first state setting a fine of $300 and the latter slightly higher at $322.

ACT has the highest fine at $419 with three demerit points, followed by South Australia at $419 and three points.

It will cost you $159 and three demerit points in Tasmania and in the Northern Territory if you are caught in a traffic infringement you could be slapped with a $120 fine.

Ms Hassan said breaking road rules, even if they seem trivial, can affect a driver’s car insurance.

“Many insurers increase the cost of their cover for drivers who have lost their licence before,” she said.

“Drivers who try to make an insurance claim for an incident that took place while driving recklessly could have their claim knocked back.”

Originally published as Aussie drivers forced to pay hundreds over obscure road rules