Australian drivers aged 65 and above are reminded to exercise a bit more caution behind the wheel, as a new regulation comes into effect this September, and could lead to a $450 fine for what could be viewed as a trivial offense. The new regulation is being monitored by the relevant road safety authorities, who caution that older drivers are being targeted for particularly being likely to fall victim to the regulation.
The $450 Fine Justification
The imposition of the fine of $450 is the direct result of the failure to ‘hands on the wheel’ and the resultant improper driving of a motor vehicle. Law enforcement agencies are reminding the drivers that their hands on the steering wheel and the hands on the vehicle’s gear stick should remain in proximity to each other in the consolidated driving position, and that the only complete rotation of the driving wheel is acceptable when a driving a vehicle task is being performed, such as changing the gears, indicating to the vehicle, and moving the vehicle’s gear shifts. Drivers behind the wheel of a car who are ‘one-handed driving’ and who are filmed by police or the road safety cameras could be issued the fine almost instantly.
The Style of Driving that is Dominant
These transport experts assert that older, more experienced drivers are likely to feel relaxed behind the wheel and let go of the steering wheel more than is permitted, and this is precisely what constitutes a legal offense in the current driving climate. Seniors who learned driving many. years ago may practice different driving habits compared to the rules that they had to follow. This change in regulations is part of a comprehension. strategy to perpetuate safe driving practices and lower the number of avoidable incidents. The target audience of these strategies is not the seniors population. However, data suggests that there is a greater willingness among seniors to stick to the old driving rules which may not be applicable now.
Road Safety Authorities Push for Awareness
The Fine government of Australia has been targeting. specific cohorts of the population, and in doing. so, it. has been encouraging Australian seniors in. particular to take a refresher course in driving and to. gather up-to-date information on the rules which have changed after the. driving years and which need to be observed. Awareness campaigns have to been disseminated in the various. regions Of the Australian states where there is the coordinated. Participation of volunteer driving. instructors and community organizations for seniors. The goal is to avoid the penalties by encouraging compliance, raising awareness to the problem, and not simply raising the ticket allowance.
Community Concerns and Reactions
Most of the people in the seniors age group driving cars have said that they feel shocked. with the sudden steep rise, which in their estimation is ridiculous, for what they see is a minor mistake. Most of the advocates who are fighting for the seniors on this issue have said that while the issue of safety is very important, keeping the purse strings so tight is unreasonable for people who have retired and are living on a pension. Some people have suggested. Would it be alright. to have a system where the first level is in the form of a warning and where the next level are modules explaining. the rules instead of having to comply with the rules right away?
Comparison With Existing Penalties
The $450 set for this infringement is not out of place as the other infractions of road safety like not wearing a seatbelt, or using a cellphone while driving. Safety specialists commonly emphasize the point that the steering wheel not remaining in control for even one instant, invites danger. Particularly in the case of aging drivers, as opposed to younger ones, the need for slower reaction times makes good driving even more important.
A Call to Stay in the Know
The authorities do expect all Australians, out of which at least the seniors, to know the ways of the road and their rules as they change. Circumstances change when rules do. Although certain ones are in fact regarded as the rules to be followed within the parameters of safer road usage, as the primary principle should be to give every punctuation of a chance to be able to avoid collisions, there should be the risk of being meets more than once in the case of seniors crossing. For the greater chance and hope, it should be clear that the economical burden will serve better as the protective boundary than just to serve as the financial levy.