Australian motorists could be slapped with a hefty fine for a simple, friendly beep of the horn.
Drivers across the country who use their horns for any purpose other than to warn others could be fined between $50 and $3,700, including a hello or a farewell toot.
Legally, a vehicle’s horn can only be used to warn other drivers of your position, warn animals to get off the road or be used as part of an anti-theft or alcohol interlock device.
Sydney lawyer Avinash Singh explained that laws forbid using a car’s horn outside of warning motorists of impending dangers on the road.
‘No matter what state you’re driving in, a vehicle’s horn can only be used to warn other drivers or alert animals about the approach or position of their vehicle,’ he told Yahoo News.
‘The only exception to this is if the horn is being used as part of an anti-theft device or an alcohol interlock. Drivers caught using their horn in situations outside of these could face possible imprisonment and fines of over $3,000, depending on which state they reside.’
Here are the specific rules for your state:
New South Wales: The ‘use of a horn or warning device unnecessarily’ carries a $344 fine.
Using a car horn for any purpose other than to warn others is against the law (pictured, stock image of woman pressing the horn)
Victoria: In Victoria, offenders can be fined one penalty unit, which is currently valued at $192.31, according to Rule 224 of Victoria’s Road Safety Rules 2017.
Queensland: Maximum penalty of 20 penalty units, which is currently $3226.
Western Australia: Motorists receive a ‘modified penalty’ of 1 penalty unit, which equals a $50 fine.
South Australia: ‘Using horn or similar warning device’ incorrectly carries a $215 fine and a $99 Victims of Crime Levy.
Northern Territory: Maximum penalty of 20 penalty units $3,700, or imprisonment for 6 months.
Tasmania: The ‘use or allowing use of a horn unnecessarily’ will cost a driver $146.25
Australian Capital Territory: Infringement penalty of $264, and a potential additional 20 penalty units worth $160 each.
