Responsible driving means driving with the safety and convenience of all road users in mind. Following the information in this section will help you to become a safe and responsible road user.
A driver must not operate a vehicle in a condition or manner that could cause:
You must not drive:
You must not ride in (or on) a vehicle in a way that might result in injury. If you are the driver, you must not let your passengers ride in (or on) the vehicle in an unsafe way.
Holding a package, person or animal in your lap or arms when driving is dangerous. Ideally, put packages in a secure place where they won’t hurt anyone if the vehicle stops suddenly. Secure animals and passengers appropriately.
Children and pets can be noisy or need your help when you are driving. If you have to deal with the needs of children or pets, pull over to the side of the road and park your vehicle first.
A driver or passenger must not use any vehicle lighting equipment in a way that will dazzle, confuse or distract other road users.
You must not drive a vehicle that:
Make sure your vehicle’s exhaust system and silencer are in good working order. This will prevent gases and excessive noise entering the vehicle.
Making the wheels of a motor vehicle lose traction and spin on the road surface may make unnecessary noise or smoke and could be a traffic offence.
The horn should only be used as a reasonable traffic warning. It should not make an unnecessary or unreasonably loud, harsh or shrill noise.
You must not open or close the door of a motor vehicle if it is likely to:
Don’t play music in your vehicle so loudly that you can’t hear:
On steep, narrow roads, it is easier for vehicles moving downhill to give way to vehicles moving uphill.
Farmers often use country roads to move stock between paddocks. If there are animals on the road:
You are responsible for removing the following things if they fall or escape from your vehicle onto the road:
If the substance or glass can be removed quickly and safely, the driver of the vehicle involved must immediately remove it or ensure it is removed.
If the substance or glass cannot be removed quickly and safely, and there is likelihood of harm being caused to the public or any person, the driver of the vehicle involved must warn the public or report the occurrence immediately to the nearest police station or to a member of the police.
If all the drivers of the vehicles involved are physically incapacitated and unable to remove the substance or glass or warn the public or report the occurrence, the person removing the vehicle from the scene must do those things as required.
You must not carry a firearm in your vehicle unless you hold a firearm licence. You must never carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle. This means you must not carry ammunition in the chamber or magazine, or have the magazine attached to the gun.
While you are driving, you cannot create, send, or read a text message on a mobile phone or use a hand-held mobile phone to make, receive or end a phone call. This includes accessing online services in any way.
You can, however, use your mobile phone to make, receive or terminate a telephone call while driving if the phone is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and you manipulate the phone infrequently and briefly.
You can also use a mobile phone while driving to make a 111 or *555 call if it is unsafe or impractical to pull over and stop in a safe place at the side of the road to make the call.
Anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road can be a potential hazard.
You should avoid or minimise the following distractions when you are driving:
Auxiliary brakes use the engine as a retarding force to improve control of the vehicle and reduce brake wear.
Some types of auxiliary brakes are:
If your truck is fitted with auxiliary brakes, it is very important that you know how to operate them and when to use them. Read the operator’s manual or ask your employer if you don’t know what type of brake is fitted or how to use it. Two trucks may appear to be the same but have different auxiliary brakes fitted. Make sure you understand the controls and how they work.
Incorrect use of auxiliary brakes in some conditions can be lethal. Over-retarding in wet or slippery conditions can result in the drive wheels locking up and the trailer jack-knifing.
The use of these brakes is not permitted in some locations. Look out for signs that indicate this.
Note: Employers are responsible for making sure drivers have adequate training in the use of equipment.
