99 new or amended rules come into force on South Australian roads at midnight tonight, 24-01-09

The public hasn't been informed about any of it.

Of course it's not revenue raising

UNSUSPECTING motorists and road users face a raft of new and revised on-the-spot fines from tomorrow, 25-01-09

Police will immediately enforce the 99 amendments made to the Australian Road Rules when they are adopted by South Australia at midnight tonight, 24-01-09

The changes to the SA Road Traffic Regulations 1999 create new infringements, including more stringent rules for cyclists, and make existing rules more specific.

The changes were printed in the South Australian Government Gazette on September 25 last year. However, neither the Government nor police have further publicised the changes.

A police spokesman said it was a motorist's responsibility to keep up to date with road rules.

It will now be an offence to:

DRIVE with a person or animal on your lap – $95 fine.

RIDE a motorcycle with an animal on the petrol tank – $95 fine.

TAKE children under the age of eight as pillion passengers on a motorcycle – $83 fine.

RIDE a motorcycle and side car with the passenger not seated safely, with $83 fines applying for both rider and passenger.

RUN a red light on a bicycle – $231 fine.

DRIVE on a safety ramp or arrester bed to avoid a hand-held stop sign – $231 fine.

MAKE a U-turn across certain dividing lines – $248 fine.

DRIVE in a tramway – $158.

STOP on a painted road island – $54.

A driver, and now also a passenger, in or on a motor vehicle leading an animal can be hit with a $60 fine. A cyclist leading an animal can be fined $25.

One of the law changes, relating to the use of fog lights, already has sparked debate among motorists and road safety experts.

While the rules have been changed to allow the use of fog lights during adverse weather conditions such as fog, heavy rain, dust and smoke, motorists using fog lights in clear conditions could face a $160 fine.

I do agree with the fog light fine during the day, most aren't adjusted correctly.

G'day Shad,

Welcome to the draconian nightmare of consistent legislation nationwide. The new rules were brought into NSW last year and will eventually spread to every state / territory.

Even some of the plods over here aren't aware of the changes made ???

Go figure.
Pat

I must say that I was aware of most of these laws. I thought they had been in effect for many years.
Most a sensible laws. My issue is why must big brother take the right away from us to think for ourselves.
eg. I have put most of my kids on the back of the bike for short distances from 5 or 6 years old.
It's a sort of birthday thing that happens. But I wouldn't head down the motorway with an 8 yearold on the back..
Lets hope the police are sensible in enforcing these laws.

Thanks Shadow...

That's me gone for:

Animal on the petrol tank - the dog is going to have to run.

The kids as pillions - shouldn't be an issue as I don't take them on the roads (they go on the tank as well at the moment).

I agree with Markzz, most are sensible laws and I just hope the Police are sensible when interpreting them.

They have snuck them under the radar though...

Nige

Never said they weren't sensible laws, just sneaky the way they have been bought in.

A long weekend to boot, when most are in relax mode.