We all did that. Admit it. You are sitting in line waiting for traffic, the light has turned green, and a few cars ahead have not yet pressed the gas to go through the intersection.
- Inappropriate honking may result in fines
- The whistle is designed as a warning device
- Your car’s horn must be active to be classified as road-appropriate
So what do you do? You honk the horn. Like everyone else.
But did you know that you can be severely fined if you do so?
It’s illegal to honk your horn unless necessary and while that may be understandable, laws across Australia largely reflect the same view: don’t honk unless it’s important.
If you’ve ever been to a country like India, you know that the horn is immutable – the rules of the road can often be easily understood, like lane discipline, and so drivers use their horns. to help others on the way. understand their surroundings. If you beep, everyone around you will know where you are.
However, that’s not how you should act in Australia, but the law says the “location” of your vehicle can be a valid reason to honk. For example, if a car is rolling back towards your car and you want to warn that driver that they could hit you if they don’t apply the brake first.
First, you should know that the legal requirement for all registered vehicles is to have a horn, which is designed to act as a warning device.
A motor vehicle must be equipped with at least one horn or other device that can sound enough to alert other road users of the vehicle’s approach or position. Australian vehicle standard rules – Reg 34 – state:
“A motor vehicle must be equipped with at least one horn or other device that can sound enough to warn other road users about the vehicle or its location; Motor vehicles must not be fitted with devices capable of emitting sounds such as sirens, bells, exhaust horns, compression horns, repeating horns.
Let’s take a look at the wording surrounding the use of horns:
New South Wales
IN NSWwording states:
“You must not use a horn or any other warning device, unless: you need to warn other road users of your vehicle’s location; you need to warn others that you are approaching; you need to warn animals off the road; it is part of the anti-theft or alcohol interlock device. Never use the horn to scare or intimidate other road users, especially cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.”
Seems pretty simple. Wrong, you could be fined $349 on the spot, or more than $2000 if you go to court and are found guilty.
Victoria
Same rule in Victoria:
“A driver shall not use, or permit the use of, a horn or similar warning device, installed in or in the driver’s vehicle unless: (a) it is necessary to use a horn or warning device. to warn other road users or animals of the vehicle’s approach or location; or (b) a horn or warning device is being used as part of an anti-theft device or alcohol interlock installed in the vehicle.”
Penalty: 1 penalty unit – or $184.92.
Queensland
IN QLDThe law provides that
“A driver may not use, or permit the use of, a horn or similar warning device, installed in or in the driver’s vehicle, unless (a) the use of a horn or warning device is required to give the warning. other road users or animals’ approach or position; or (b) a horn, or warning device, being used as part of an anti-theft device, or alcohol-ignition interlock, installed in the vehicle.”
Regulators can impose penalties of up to 20 units, or $2875 — but that’s if you take it to court.
South Australia:
“You have to sound your alarm just to warn others of danger. You must not use your alarm device to make unnecessary or annoying noise. Musical alarm devices are not permitted.”
There doesn’t appear to be any fines applied.
Western Australia
The Road Traffic Code 2000 (WA), states that you can only use a horn or other warning device in the same situations as in other states – to warn other road users or other objects, although they may be authorized for use as part of an alarm system or an interlocking device.
Improper use of the horn can result in a $50 fine.
Northern Territory
The NT doesn’t seem to have specific regulations on the use of horns, but if you are found to be using your vehicle’s warning system inappropriately, there may be grounds for a General Fine, possibly fines. up to $3240 (or up to six months in prison!) if brought to court.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT has very similar guidelines to other jurisdictions:
“A driver shall not use, or permit the use of, a horn or similar warning device, installed in or in the driver’s vehicle unless: (a) it is necessary to use a horn or warning device. to warn other road users or animals of the vehicle’s approach or location; or (b) a horn or warning device being used as part of an anti-theft device or an alcohol-based interlock device, installed in the vehicle.”
The maximum penalty is 20 units – or a HUGE $5500 – but that is if you choose to go to court and lose. An alternative is an on-the-spot fine of a few hundred.
tasmania
At TAS, the expression that sounds like it’s the driver’s responsibility is to make sure other occups of the vehicle don’t honk on your behalf, with the sentence: “Use/allow the use of the horn (or similar warning device). self) unnecessarily” may result in a $136 fine.
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant road authority in your state or territory.
