Debunking Common Driving Myths

Driving is an essential part of daily life for millions of Australians, but it’s also surrounded by countless myths and misconceptions. From the legality of driving with thongs to whether eating behind the wheel is allowed, these uncertainties often leave drivers second-guessing themselves. While some myths are rooted in outdated rules or misinterpretations, others have no legal basis at all. Understanding the facts behind these common beliefs is crucial for safer, more confident driving. In this blog, we’re breaking down the top 10 driving myths to set the record straight and help you navigate the roads with clarity and peace of mind.

1. Driving with thongs (flip-flops) or bare feet is illegal

Myth: It’s a common misconception, but driving with thongs or barefoot is not illegal in Australia. However, drivers must maintain proper control of their vehicles at all times. Wearing footwear like thongs, which can slip off or become caught, may impair your ability to safely operate the pedals.

Why the confusion? Road safety rules require drivers to exercise due care and attention, and if it’s proven that your footwear (or lack thereof) contributed to an accident, you could face penalties for negligent driving.

Pro Tip: Opt for footwear that provides a good grip and doesn't interfere with pedal operation. Keep spare shoes in your car if you often drive in thongs.

2. Driving with your interior lights on is illegal

Myth: Driving with interior lights on is not explicitly illegal, but it can create visibility issues. Interior lights cause reflections on the windshield, particularly at night, making it harder to see outside. This can distract the driver and affect their ability to control the vehicle.

Legal Implications: If a police officer deems that the interior light is impairing your driving or distracting other road users, you could be fined under general road safety laws that mandate proper vehicle control.

Tip for Drivers: If you need to use interior lights, try to limit their use to when the car is stationary to avoid glare and distractions.

3. Eating behind the wheel is against the law

Myth: Eating while driving is not illegal, but it can result in penalties if it distracts you or impacts your control of the vehicle. Laws across Australia emphasize that drivers must have full control of their vehicle at all times. For example, in NSW, fines can exceed $481 and three demerit points for distracted driving.

Why the Caution? Eating takes your hands off the wheel and your attention off the road. Spilling hot drinks or fumbling with food can create dangerous situations.

Safety Tip: If you need to eat or drink, park your car in a safe location before resuming your journey.

4. You are legally permitted to overtake a funeral procession

Fact: it is illegal to overtake a funeral procession in many states and territories, and the penalties for doing so can be significant:

In NSW, the government has added their own spin on rule 79 where subsection 1 states that: "A driver must not interfere with or interrupt the free passage of any funeral cortege or authorised procession as well as any other vehicles forming part of the procession".

The ruling is virtually identical in both Queensland and Victoria where the state legislations are added as part of the Queensland Traffic Regulation Act (Rule 125) and the ACT Road Transport Regulations 2005 (Rule 300A).

In Victoria, the law was also recently introduced in November 2020 as part of the amended Road Traffic Rules 2017 where rule 77A added a new section forbidding any interruptions of a funeral procession.

At the moment, no other states have introduced rules surrounding funeral processions meaning drivers in NT, WA, SA and Tasmania would not be penalised for interrupting a cortege.

- ACT: Drivers who interrupt a funeral procession can face a $205 fine

- VIC: Drivers who interrupt a funeral procession can face a $91 penalty

- NSW: Drivers who interrupt a funeral procession can face a penalty of up to $2,200

- QLD: Drivers who interrupt a funeral procession can face a penalty of up to $2,660

If you are not part of a funeral procession, you should give way and let the procession pass. If you accidentally find yourself in the middle of a procession, you should pull over and let the procession pass.

Etiquette vs. Law: Funeral processions often have the right of way, and interrupting them may be seen as a failure to yield. Always exercise patience and respect.

Best Practice: Wait for the procession to pass, and avoid honking or overtaking unless absolutely necessary and safe.

5. It’s illegal to wear headphones while driving

Myth: The legality of driving with headphones varies across Australian states and territories. While it is technically legal to drive with headphones, earphones, or earbuds in most jurisdictions, it's crucial to consider the potential safety risks and the specific regulations that apply. It can also compromise safety by reducing your ability to hear surrounding sounds, such as emergency sirens or horns.

• New South Wales - In NSW, you can listen to music directly into your ears while driving, provided you don't violate NSW Road Rule 297 (1), which requires a driver to have proper control of the vehicle. If you’re caught not having control of your car, you could face three demerits and a $481 fine. In an active school zone, this increases to four demerits and a $603 fine. Using your phone to skip ads in your podcast without an appropriate cradle or mount could result in five demerits and a $481 fine.
• Victoria - In Victoria, while it’s not illegal to wear headphones while driving, authorities strongly advise against it. If you’re involved in an accident or found to be lacking proper control of your car, you could be prosecuted. Victoria Police emphasize that wearing headphones can significantly affect your ability to focus on driving.
• Queensland - Queensland’s rules mirror those of other states: it’s not illegal to wear headphones, but you must maintain control of your vehicle. If deemed out of control or driving carelessly, you could be fined up to $619 and receive three demerits.
• Western Australia - WA allows driving with headphones, but you must maintain control of your vehicle. If your headphone use leads to a loss of control, you could be booked and fined.
• South Australia - SA permits the use of headphones while driving, but under distracted driving legislation, driving without due care or attention can lead to court-imposed penalties of up to $2500.
• Tasmania - In Tasmania, wearing headphones while driving is legal, but using a mobile phone for anything other than calls can result in a fine of $346 and three demerits. If headphone use causes a loss of control, you could be fined $173.
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT) - The ACT allows the use of headphones, earphones, or earbuds while driving, as long as you maintain control of your vehicle.
• Northern Territory - In the NT, you can wear headphones while driving, but must not use your phone illegally and must maintain control of the car.

Legal Perspective: If wearing headphones leads to distracted driving or contributes to an accident, you could face penalties for not having proper control of the vehicle.

Tip: Use hands-free systems for calls and avoid wearing noise-cancelling headphones to stay aware of your surroundings.

6. If you're speeding, keep it below 10% over the limit to avoid fines

Myth: Speeding by any amount over the posted limit is illegal in Australia. The idea of a "10% buffer" is a myth. While some speedometers may have minor inaccuracies, relying on this myth could still lead to fines. The exact speed tolerances for each state are uncertain, and authorities rarely discuss them

Penalties for Speeding: Speeding fines vary by state, but exceeding the limit by even a small margin can result in penalties, demerit points, or loss of your license.

In Western Australia, the penalties for speeding are based on how much over the speed limit a driver is going:

Tip: Use cruise control where possible to maintain a steady speed and avoid accidental speeding.

7. Flashing your lights to warn others of speed cameras or police ahead is legal

Myth: Flashing your headlights to warn others of police or speed cameras is not explicitly illegal in most states. However, improper use of high beams, such as dazzling other drivers, can lead to fines.

• NSW - there’s no specific law for flashing your headlights to warn of police; however, there are laws that police could apply to that specific situation if required. These state you must not flash any headlight unless you’re driving an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency, otherwise you could be up for a $117 fine. However, you are allowed to flash your headlights to warn a vehicle ahead that you’re about to overtake them.
• Victoria - Much like NSW, there aren’t any specific road rules that deal with flashing headlights to alert others of police ahead; however, there are strict rules in place when it comes to the use of high beams.
  It is an offence to use your high beams within 200 metres of another vehicle, either ahead or oncoming. This means flashing your high beams even briefly could carry an infringement of $277 and one demerit point.
• Queensland - It is illegal for a driver to flash their headlights at other drivers, including to warn them of nearby police. Drivers who flout the law in this regard expose themselves to a relatively small $61 fine and one demerit point.
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT) - In the ACT, it is explicitly illegal to flash your headlights to warn of police. This will result in a fine of $213 and accrual of one demerit point on the offender’s licence.
• South Australia - In SA, it is an offence to use your lights in such a way that you dazzle other road users. The fine for “using headlights on high beam when not permitted to do so” is $382.
• Western Australia - It is illegal in WA to fail to dip your high beam headlights, and keep them dipped, within 200 metres of another vehicle. This carries a $100 fine, with one demerit accrued.
• Northern Territory - like everywhere else in Australia, you must dip your high beam in the NT if you’re within 200 metres of another vehicle, whether approaching or following. Failure to do so in the NT only carries with it a $162 fine, and no demerit points lost.
• Tasmania - in Tasmania, the use of your high beam within 200 metres of another vehicle can carry a $181 fine and one demerit point.

Legal Gray Area: Authorities may argue that this practice obstructs law enforcement or distracts other drivers, which could result in penalties.

Best Practice: Avoid flashing high beams at close range or in a way that could impair other drivers' vision.

8. Driving with a cracked windscreen is illegal

Myth: Driving with a cracked windscreen is not automatically illegal, but it must not impair the driver’s vision. Large cracks or damage in the driver’s line of sight can render the vehicle unroadworthy.

Driving with a cracked windscreen is illegal if:

• The crack affects your ability to see the road
• The crack is longer than 100 mm
• The crack is more than 16 mm in diameter
• The crack starts or ends on the edge of the windscreen
• The crack penetrates deeper than the first layer of glass

Risks: A cracked windscreen is more likely to shatter in an accident, posing a safety hazard. Insurers may also decline claims if the damage isn’t addressed.

Advice: Repair minor chips promptly to prevent them from spreading, and replace the windscreen if the damage is severe.

9. Coasting in neutral saves fuel

Coasting in neutral refers to the practice of shifting your vehicle into neutral gear while driving, usually on a downhill slope, to reduce engine resistance and let the car "roll" without any power from the engine. The idea behind this is that it might save fuel by disconnecting the engine from the drivetrain, allowing the car to move freely without burning extra fuel.

Myth: Coasting in neutral does not save fuel and can be unsafe. Modern vehicles are designed to cut fuel supply when coasting in gear, making them more efficient than idling in neutral.

Why It’s Unsafe: Coasting reduces control over the vehicle, especially during downhill driving or sudden braking situations.

Pro Tip: Use engine braking to control your speed safely and efficiently.

10. It’s illegal to drive with a dog on your lap

Fact: Driving with a dog on your lap is illegal across Australia. Drivers are required to have proper control of their vehicle, and an animal on your lap can interfere with your ability to steer or use the pedals.

Penalties: Fines vary by state, but driving with a pet unrestrained can result in penalties under road safety laws. For example, in NSW, fines start at $425 and three demerit points.

Best Practice: Use an approved pet restraint or crate to ensure your furry friend travels safely and legally.

Conclusion: Clearing Up Common Driving Myths

Driving myths and misconceptions are everywhere, shaping how we approach everyday situations on the road. From whether it’s illegal to drive barefoot to questions about coasting in neutral or overtaking a funeral procession, these myths often stem from misunderstandings or outdated ideas. By separating fact from fiction, drivers can make more informed decisions, avoid unnecessary penalties, and ensure they’re adhering to the law while staying safe behind the wheel.

Understanding the realities of driving rules helps promote better habits, safer roads, and greater confidence. Whether it’s knowing the true risks of driving with a cracked windscreen or the nuances of flashing your lights to warn others, being informed empowers drivers to focus on what really matters: staying alert, respectful, and in control. At Westside Auto, we’re committed to helping drivers navigate these myths and enjoy a safer, more reliable driving experience every day.