Thousands of Australian motorists are unknowingly risking hefty fines every day for a simple, common mistake made while running quick errands. Traffic lawyer Jahan Kalantar is warning drivers that leaving their vehicle unlocked—even for just a moment—can lead to significant financial penalties under obscure road rules.
Many drivers assume that if they are within sight of their car or just stepping away to pay for fuel or grab a takeaway coffee, their vehicle is safe. However, the law is explicit: if you leave your vehicle unattended and move more than three metres away, you are legally required to secure it.
“Basically, it means you have to turn off the engine, you’ve got to remove the ignition key, you’ve got to make sure the car’s in park, you’ve got to have the windows closed, and they have to be locked,” Mr. Kalantar explained. While windows can be left cracked, there are strict limits: up to two centimetres in New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia, and up to five centimetres in Queensland.
The justification for these rules is rooted in road safety and theft prevention. By requiring drivers to keep their vehicle “under control,” authorities aim to prevent insurance fraud and reduce the likelihood of car theft. However, the consequences for non-compliance vary wildly across state lines, and in some jurisdictions, the potential fines are staggering.
In Queensland, drivers failing to properly secure their vehicle could face a maximum penalty of over $3,400. New South Wales motorists also face severe financial risk, with fines reaching up to $2,200. Victorian drivers face a maximum of around $625, while the penalty in Western Australia is a more modest $50.
Despite the serious potential costs, Mr. Kalantar admitted that the rule can feel “a bit ridiculous” in practice, especially for everyday situations. Having worked as a traffic lawyer for over a decade, he noted that the complexity of the Australian road rules makes it nearly impossible for the average motorist to be aware of every minor regulation.
“It’s completely unreasonable to expect everyday drivers, who don’t study the rules… to know them all,” he said.
The good news for drivers is that these laws are generally “selectively enforced,” with police using their discretion to decide when to issue a fine. Nevertheless, as the cost of living rises and law enforcement increases patrols in public areas like service stations and shopping centres, legal experts are urging the public to err on the side of caution. Even if you believe you are only going to be gone for a few seconds, taking the time to lock your car and remove the keys is the only way to guarantee you won’t be hit with an unexpected and expensive infringement notice.
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