Rights and Responsibilities

Driving

Drivers

As a driver, you're responsible for your own safety and that of your passengers. As a young driver, you won't have clocked up as much time on the road as more experienced drivers and it's a sad fact that more deaths and injuries on our roads involve young, inexperienced drivers. Take care out there.

It's your responsibility to know the road rules and stick to them. Speed limits aren't created to annoy you or slow you down, they exist to protect you and other drivers. Don't drink or take drugs and drive. You're not only risking a huge fine and the loss of your driving privileges, you're risking your life or serious injury and that of others on the road.

Using your mobile phone while driving (without hands-free and including SMSing), incurs a fine. If a call is that important and worth that much, take the time to pull over!

Passengers

As a passenger in a car you have the right to voice your opinion and tell your driver to take more care. If you feel scared or worried about your driver's antics, tell them to slow down, to stop driving like a hoon or stop using their mobile phone. Stand up for yourself!

Don't get in the car with anyone who has been drinking or taking drugs as you're five times more likely to be in an accident.

Buying a bus or train ticket

If you're travelling on public transport, it's your responsibility to purchase the correct ticket and have it (and a concession card, if applicable) in your possession when asked by a conductor or the transit police. You risk a fine if you don't buy a ticket, don't buy the right ticket and don't validate your ticket, or if you deface your ticket or zones override.

Parking fines

Parking fines don't just exist in cities and main towns - you can get one in coastal country towns, too. It can be really infuriating to get a parking fine. It's such a waste of money. The best way to avoid parking fines, especially when you're an unfamiliar place, is to check and double check the parking signs. Know where you can park and for how long and make sure you come back and move your car within the time limit set.

Parking fines are not small amounts, either. For example, parking in a disabled zone will incur a fine in Lorne. An unexpected parking fine can really hurt your budget. There are much better ways to spend your hard-earned cash during schoolies than on parking fines, so double check the parking signs, move your car before the time limit is up and don't park in a disabled or loading zone.

Interacting with the police

The police have the right to demand your name and address without a reason when you are:

Driving a car, motor bike, boat or push bike
On the tram, train, bus or on public transport property

When interacting with the police it's important to try to stay calm and polite. Don't resist or be abusive or violent. Be firm about your rights. If you are not happy with the way you have been treated you can make a complaint.