Motorists warned against common car act as hefty fine introduced

A common act of driver frustration will now be punishable law, with a hefty fine being introduced to encourage ‘decorum’ on the road.

A common act of driver frustration will now be punishable law, with a hefty fine being introduced to encourage ‘decorum’ on the road.

Australians tempted to execute a petty attack on road users whose actions they disagree with have been warned to exercise “decorum” or prepare to be fined.

Members of the public busted attaching “aggressive or offensive” notes to cars can now be slapped with a fine of up to $1100 as part of a clamp down on “material potentially causing harassment, atrocious language, or intolerance”.

The new rule was aimed at deterring road users from “exploiting anonymity to display unchecked aggression or abusive behaviour”, the International Drivers Association said.

“This rule introduces much-needed accountability for maintaining decorum on the roads, deterring road users from engaging in aggressive or offensive behaviour,” IDA’s motoring expert Dominic Wyatt said.

The organisation added the introduction of the fine, under Summary Offences Act clause 17(1)(c), provided a clear cut, financial deterrent against the uncouth practice.

It provided examples of the type of behaviour that would warrant a penalty under the new act, including leaving violent threats or abusive language on a vehicle.

People will need to think twice about leaving windscreen notes.

Posting offensive memes or pictures on vehicles was another punishable offence, along with harassing a vehicle owner or driver through notes.

“If involved in a car incident, drivers can respectfully communicate with each other or report the incident to authorities without resorting to aggressive notes,” Mr Wyatt said.

The legislation serves as both a punishing and preventive measure where potential road rage is concerned, the organisation said.

“It affords a reassuring message of safety and respect to the drivers on road,” it said in a statement.

A new rule could see Australians fined more than $1000.

“Australia’s new law underscores the importance of promoting a respectful culture on roads. “Making roads safer involves more than ensuring functioning brakes or quality tyres; it encompasses the attitude of those behind the wheel.”

Mr Wyatt stressed he expected the new rule to enhance the respect drivers showed each other.

“It’s essential to remember: It’s not only about arriving faster but safer and with respect,” he said.

People behind notes recently left on a car parked over several spaces in a Bunnings carpark may need to consider taking an alternate approach in future.

The Western Australian driver peeved shoppers who left about half a dozen notes on their car’s windscreen, shaming their parking skills.

Photos showed their Jeep parked across four parking spaces at a Bunnings car park in the inner-city Perth suburb of Balcatta.

ANZ staff were believed to be behind this carnage.

It appeared the driver reversed too far back, with the SUV’s rear wheels crossing into two separate spaces because the car’s owner also managed to park too far over to the left.

“You are a f**kwit! Sh*t car,” one person wrote on a scrap piece of paper.

“Congratulations! You park like a f**kwit. Back to school for you,” another printed letter which featured a cartoon of children stacking alphabet blocks read.

An image posted to Reddit recently showed another car that had annoyed locals.

The black Nissan Captiva was shown covered front to back with a furious missive on A4 sheets paper strapped down with masking tape.

Climate activists recently attached these letters to SUVs in Melbourne.

“Warning!!” the sign read.

“This is a private car park for ANZ stuff use only. You have illegally occupied. Please move your car immediately before further action taken. ANZ Burwood.”

This month in Melbourne, Climate change extremists deflated “hundreds” of tyres on SUVs and left notes on windscreens informing owners that their “gas guzzler kills”.

The note left on windscreens read: “ATTENTION — your gas guzzler kills. We have deflated one or more of your tyres,” part of the note read.

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