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.