Do you know road safety rules?

Most of us know to avoid speeding and running red lights - but there are some lesser-known road rules you may not even be aware of. Here are a few national and state-specific ones to keep in mind.

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Smartphone safety

Front seat passengers can’t show their phone screen to drivers in New South Wales

If you’re sitting at the front in NSW, and you need to use your phone, make sure your screen isn’t visible to the driver from the normal driving position.¹

Be mindful next time you pay with your phone at a fast-food drive-through

There are different rules for using your phone to pay while in your car in each state and territory.

In South Australia, the ACT, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Tasmania, drivers are only permitted to use their phone to pay at a drive-through if their vehicle is parked.

So, next time you’re doing your Maccas run in any of these places, do it the legal way: apply the handbrake, switch the engine off, and then get out your phone to pay.

Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales road rules include exceptions around using unmounted mobile phones. They allow drivers to use them to make payments at fast-food drive-throughs.²

Road etiquette rules

You can’t stick your arms or legs out of car windows

Feel the urge to cruise down the open road with your arm lazily draped across the side of your car?

Know that sticking your arms or legs out of the car is illegal in every Australian state and territory. Keep your limbs to yourself (even if you’re a passenger), or risk hefty fines.³

You can’t honk your horn for no reason

The only valid reason to honk your horn is when there’s a traffic or safety concern. So, take a deep breath and resist the urge to honk next time road rage gets the better of you.⁴

You can’t splash mud on people waiting for the bus in New South Wales

Why would you do that anywhere anyway? But if you do it in NSW – for whatever reason –you could be hit with a fine.⁵

This rule is under ‘Noise and nuisances’ in the state legislation, but we’re considering it as a road etiquette issue because it happens on the roads.

Headlights rules

Fog lights can only be used in fog conditions

In most parts of Australia, using fog lights in normal weather conditions can distract other drivers, so it’s considered illegal.⁶

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Read more:

• CTP insurance and comprehensive car insurance: What's the difference?
• What happens when you’re in a car accident and not at fault?
• Distracted driving: 8 common distractions and how to fight them

1 Mobile phones and driving – New South Wales Government

2 Do you use your phone to pay at a McDonald’s drive-through? Not so fast…

3 Is it illegal to drive with your arm out of an open car window in Australia?

4 Did you know? 10 unexpected laws when driving in Australia

5  NSW Legislation

6 Fog lights and driving lamps: Do I need them and when should I use them?

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