12 Fascinating Road Safety Facts Every Australian Should Know
Australians spend a huge amount of time on the roads — in 2018, the average vehicle clocked an impressive 13,301 km per year! But with that much travel comes responsibility. Road safety is a critical issue for communities across Australia, with too many injuries and tragedies occurring every year.
In honour of National Road Safety Week, we’ve gathered 12 interesting road safety facts you might not know — some will surprise you!
1. The First Use of “Road Safety”
The earliest recorded use of the phrase “road safety” dates back to 1906, appearing in Henry C. Pearson’s book Rubber Tires and All About Them.
2. Tired Drivers Are as Dangerous as Drunk Drivers
Being awake for 17 hours straight poses the same risk as having a blood alcohol content of 0.05%. So, getting enough rest is just as important as never drinking and driving.
3. Waving from a Car Window Is Illegal in Some States
In Queensland and New South Wales, it’s illegal to wave from a car window due to the “protruding body part” rule. Fines have totaled nearly $2 million over the past five years! The fine? $298 — but no demerit points.
4. What to Do If Your Vehicle Skids
If you skid, take your foot off the accelerator, look where you want to go, and gently steer in that direction. Staying calm is key!
5. No Unnecessary Honking
It’s against the law in every Australian state to honk unnecessarily. In NSW, this can cost you up to $298.
6. Older Cars Are Less Safe
Only 10% of cars made in 2003 had a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, compared to 87% of vehicles sold in 2015-16. Car safety technology has come a long way!
7. Turn Off Your Engine Near Agitated Horses
In Queensland, if a rider signals their horse is nervous, drivers must stop and turn off their engine until it’s safe to proceed.
8. Australians Drive to Pluto 20 Times a Year!
Combined, Australian drivers clock up around 182 billion kilometres annually — enough to travel to and from Pluto twenty times!
9. Looking at Your Phone for Two Seconds Is Dangerous
At 60 km/h, a two-second glance at your phone means you’re driving blind for 33 metres. Keep your eyes on the road!
10. The World’s Most Expensive Speeding Ticket
In 2010, a Swiss motorist was fined around $300,000 AUD for speeding — the fine was based on income, making it the priciest speeding ticket ever.
11. Lane-Keeping Saves Lives
In Australia, veering lanes is a leading cause of crashes. Toyota’s Lane Tracing Assist technology has helped reduce such accidents by 11%, preventing around 85,000 crashes!
12. Australia Drives on the Left — A Global Minority
Only 34% of countries, including Australia, drive on the left side of the road. This dates back to British colonisation and the practical needs of sword-wielding riders.
We hope you learned something new about road safety today (we certainly didn’t know about the agitated horse rule!). Share this article with your friends and family to spread awareness — because safer roads start with informed drivers.
Ready to take your commitment further? Make your pledge to Drive So Others Survive at roadsafetyweek.com.au.
And if you’re after a vehicle loaded with the latest safety features, contact the Sunshine Toyota team at Currimundi. We’re here to help you drive safer, wherever the road takes you.
Safe travels!
