If you have eaten food whilst driving, applied makeup or watched a movie/TV show or driven with your knees, you’ve likely broken some of NSW’s unknown road rules. Of these, the most common dangerous driving habit is eating a meal behind the wheel, with 44% of Australia Drivers admitting to this conduct. However, this carries an on-the-spot fine of $464 and 3 demerit points as it is classified as ‘driving without proper control of the vehicle’.
Obscure Road Rules in NSW
1. Flashing lights to warn others of speed camera cars
$116 fine and 1 demerit point.
6. Drive vehicle with TV/Visual Display Unit image visible to driver
$349 fine and 3 demerit points
7. Drive or use motor vehicle with vehicle’s sound system emits offensive noise
Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2017: Clause 33
$200 fine and 2 demerit points
9. Driver having a part of their body outside a window of a moving car
$349 fine and 3 demerit points
10. Passenger having a part of his or her body outside a window of a moving car,
$349 fine but no demerit points.
12. Drive with 3 or more unrestrained passenger
$1,123 fine and 6 demerit points
14. Driver drive motor vehicle with person/s in boot
$349 fine and 3 demerit points
16. Driver did not give way to user/animal on path
$349 fine and 3 demerit points
18. Using a radar detector or speed evasion device
Road Transport Act 2013: Section 119
$1819 fine and 9 demerit points
19. Leave a car unlocked, leave the key in the ignition or leave the windows open if you are more than 3 metres away from the vehicle
$116 fine for each
Key Takeaways
- The article lists 20 lesser-known road rules in NSW, including fines and demerit points for violations such as improper use of fog lamps, eating while driving, using mobile phones, and driving with a part of the body outside the window.
- It highlights specific offenses and their consequences, aiming to inform drivers about the importance of adhering to these rules for safety and legal compliance.
- The emphasis is on raising awareness to prevent common but often overlooked infractions that could lead to penalties.
20. Failing to keep left on a freeway (or a road with a speed limit of 80km/h or more) unless overtaking
$349 fine and 2 demerit points
Demerit Points and on the Spot fines can be found at this link.
If you or someone you know has been charged with or awaiting sentence for a Traffic offence, you can contact the team at Hamilton Janke Lawyers 24/7 by calling 4038 1666.
Written By

James Janke
James Janke is founding partner at Hamilton Janke Lawyers, and has more then decade of experience as a Criminal Defence Lawyer. Admitted to both the Supreme Court of New South Wales and High Court of Australia