As early as February 2022, the Queensland Government will introduce several new road rules across the state. Some of these changes will attract higher penalties than ever before, so ensure you are up to date with the changes before hitting the road. If you are unsure of the new traffic laws, call your trusted Traffic Lawyer Sunshine Coast.
3 New Driving Laws Sunshine Coast
1. Law on Interrupting a Funeral Procession
If you are caught driving in front of or cutting through a funeral procession on the Sunshine Coast, you could be fined. This also applies to honking your horn at a funeral procession or otherwise disrupting the solemnity of the event.
The law is in place to respect the dead and their grieving families and to ensure that funerals are conducted with the appropriate level of dignity and respect. If you are caught breaking this law, you may be fined and/or have your license suspended. In addition, if you cause an accident while interrupting a funeral procession, you could be liable for any damages that occur as a result. This includes any injuries or fatalities that occur.
New driving laws have come into effect on the Sunshine Coast which carry a maximum penalty of $2,757.00 for anyone caught intentionally interrupting a funeral procession. In some cases, the $55.00 penalty infringement notice will be issued to the offenders.
It is important to be aware of this law and to respect the grieving process of others. If you are attending a Sunshine Coast funeral, follow the procession and refrain from honking your horn or engaging in any other disruptive behaviour.
2. New Parking Fine
New driving laws have been introduced on the Sunshine Coast which will see drivers fined for not parking their car within the white lines. The new laws state that drivers must park their vehicle within the boundary of a marked bay or face a fine of $100.
The same fine penalty is given for parking in a disabled bay without a valid permit, parking in a no-parking zone, double parking or parking on the footpath.
The law also provides for parking fines for motorists caught charging their electric vehicles without stopping in charging bays. Under the new rules, electric vehicles that do not connect to a charger while parked at a charging bay will be fined $200.
Additionally, any driver who blocks an electric vehicle bay with another vehicle will now face a fine of $500. These changes have been made in response to the increasing number of electric vehicles on the road and the need to ensure that there is sufficient access to charging infrastructure.
The move is aimed at improving road safety and reducing congestion and follows similar changes that have been implemented in other parts of Queensland. If motorists violate the new law, they can be fined up to $2,757.00. In most cases, offenders receive an infringement notice worth $55.00 as a penalty.
So far, the response from drivers has been mixed, with some saying that the new rules are unfair and confusing, while others believe that they are necessary to improve public safety. Whatever your opinion, it’s important to be aware of the new laws and make sure that you park your car correctly to avoid being fined.
3. New U-Turn Fine
At child, level, marked foot and pedestrian crossings, U-turns are not permitted unless there is a sign allowing you to do so. The changes have been made to improve safety for all road users, particularly those who are more vulnerable such as pedestrians and cyclists.
If you are caught breaking these new U-turn rules you could be changed of up to $2,757.00 as maximum penalty. In some cases, you may receive a $110.00 infringement notice, two demerit points or both as your penalties.
These new penalties have been put in place in an effort to reduce the number of accidents caused by unsafe U-turns. So before you make your next U-turn, make sure you are familiar with the new rules and regulations. Otherwise, you could end up with a hefty fine and some serious points on your licence.
Other Road Rules for Everyday Driving on the Sunshine Coast
- Changing Lanes and Merging. When changing lanes, drivers must signal their intention and check their mirrors and blind spots for other vehicles. When merging, drivers must yield to oncoming traffic and then merge into the flow of traffic. Remember, safety should always be your top priority when driving.
- Keeping Left and Overtaking. Drivers must keep left unless overtaking, passing a slow-moving vehicle, or turning right. When overtaking, drivers must use their indicator to signal their intention and must not return to the left lane until it is safe to do so. Driving on the wrong side of the road is strictly prohibited and can result in a fine of $261.
- Roundabouts. These are a type of intersection where traffic flows around a central island in a clockwise direction. They are commonly used in Europe and other parts of the world, but they are relatively new to Australia. Driving laws Sunshine Coast state that you must yield to traffic already in the roundabout, but you do not have to stop.
Driving laws vary from place to place, so it’s important to familiarise yourself with the rules of the road before getting behind the wheel. On Sunshine Coast, drivers are required to follow the rules when directed to do so by traffic signs or signals. Failure to do so can result in a fine.
Contact Smith Criminal Law to learn more!
