A Member asked us recently on Facebook if pram parking spots are for pregnant women as well. So we investigated the road rules that pertain to car parks, to see what the law says. 

Pram parking spots are offered by private car park operators to parents as a courtesy and NSW law does not provide for their enforcement*.

These spots are designated with a distinctive pram symbol. They are usually bigger than regular spots, to allow parents more room to manage prams and infants and they are often closer to the entrance, to reduce the distance young children must travel in a high traffic area.

- Download the my nrma app to find the best parking spots -

The short answer is that legally there is nothing to prevent a person without a pram, or infant, parking in a pram spot. It is at the management’s discretion how they choose to enforce parent parking rules. Like allocated ‘seniors only’ parking, these spots are provided courtesy of the owners of the property to help customers who are generally regarded as less mobile. So while car park management could ask someone without a pram, or infant, to vacate a parent parking spot, it’s not enforceable by law.

Therefore, the right thing to do comes down to common courtesy. We all have a part to play in keeping roads and car parks safe and fair. It is reasonable that parents with children, as well as senior drivers, need ease of access more than regular drivers. Heavily pregnant women could also fall into this category, which the law does not define (although private car parks may have guidelines for their premises).

However, just because you can’t be punished by the law for parking in these spots, it’s not okay for people who don’t need them to use them. It boils down to respect for others and basic civic duty.

Meanwhile, disabled parking spots are definitely enforceable under NSW Road Rule 203, on the basis that those spaces are for the ‘sole use of persons with disabilities’.

It is interesting to note that in other states, such as Western Australia, it appears that their councils can set dedicated parking aside for ‘Seniors or ‘Parents with Prams’ which would be enforceable.

Do you think these parking spaces should be enforceable by NSW law?

If you struggle to find available parking spaces download the free my nrma app to find the closest available parks. Plus, Premium Care Members can have their child restraints fitted for free by the NRMA.

- Can private car parks issue fines?
- *NSW The Local Government Act 1993 under Section 650 (1) & (2) 
- Pregnant woman in UK fined for ‘parents-only’ parking

An NRMA Member recently asked us on Facebook if it was an offence for driving instructors to display L and P plates while driving in a car when a learner is not present. We consulted our legal experts, who advised the below.

In New South Wales, it is not an offence for a full licence holder to display L or P plates on their vehicle while driving.

However, it certainly would not be a good idea to do so. Say you did (for whatever strange reason!) and were pulled over for breaking the L or P plate speed limit or driving alone on an L plate, the police officer wouldn’t be very pleased that you have wasted his or her time.

Meanwhile, the ACT takes a different approach; there, it is illegal for a fully licensed driver to drive with an L or P plate displayed. So if you have a full licence and you drive across the boarder to the ACT with, for example, your son or daughter’s L or P plate displayed, you could receive an infringement under Regulation 24(1) of the ACT Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2000 for driving with an L plate displayed or Regulation 38 of the ACT Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2000 for driving with a P plate displayed.

In regards P platers and L platers obligations to display plates, the NSW law is clear. You must drive with an L plate on the outside of the front and back your vehicle if you have a learner licence.

If you are a P1 or P2 licence holder, you must display a Red P plate or Green P plate (respectively) on the outside of the front and back of your vehicle. The regulations state plates must be clearly visible and not obscured when viewed from ahead of or behind the vehicle.

All clear? Comment to let us know if you have any further questions!

Related content:

- Where do you stick your Ps?
- Changes for L and P plate drivers
- NRMA Safer Driving School
- Confusion over restricted speed limits
- Speed limits – state by state

Driving on a beautiful sunny day can provide the perfect backdrop, but it can also cause hazardous conditions if the driver’s view is obstructed by the glaring sun.

GLARING ISSUE: How do you cope with the sun’s glare while driving?

Sun glare can be experienced throughout the day, although it’s more common in peak hour times, especially around sunrise and sunset.

These conditions reduce visibility making it harder to see the road ahead or any potential hazards, which can create added risks for drivers.

Here are some tips when driving in sunny conditions:

Give yourself some space
When the sun is in your eyes it can be hard to see what the car ahead is doing. Slow down if you need to and leave some space between you and the next vehicle.

Invest in a pair of decent sunglasses
Look for a lens category of at least 2 or preferably 3. Category 3 lenses provide a good level of UV protection and a high level of sun glare reduction.

Driving Tint
If you use prescription glasses to improve your eyesight, consider additional lens treatments from Specsavers such as Driving Tint and Drivewear which help to improve contrast and sharpens vision behind the wheel.

Keep your windscreen clean
A dirty or dusty windscreen can make vision worse so it’s important to clean before the trip. Don’t forget to also keep an eye on your wiper blades (see video from NRMA car servicing below) and replace if they begin to streak as this can make visibility worse.

Use your sun visor
The sun visor is designed to keep the sun out of the driver’s and passenger’s eyes. They were introduced in 1924 on the Ford Model T and now come standard on most vehicles.

Making some of these adjustments will help minimise risk during less than perfect visual conditions.

NRMA Members who need advice on all things motoring can call NRMA’s Motoring Advice line on 13 11 22 from Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 5pm.

Although smoking while driving could be considered a distraction under NSW Road Rule 297(1), it is not illegal. However, the practice is far more concerning if there are young passengers in your vehicle.

Smoking in a motor vehicle with a child under the age of 16 is an offence under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008. The law was introduced to protect children from second-hand tobacco smoke which can harm their growing lungs and can lead to an increased risk of asthma and other respiratory infections. A $250 on the spot fine can be issued to the driver and any passenger who breaks the law.

There are also heavy penalties for people caught throwing lit cigarette butts from vehicles, which can also start bush and grass fires, especially during days of total fire ban or during bush fire danger period.

If you see someone littering from their vehicle and you are concerned this will or has caused a fire, you can report the threat to the NSW Rural Fire Service. Where a disposed cigarette butt has caused a fire, the information you provide may be forwarded to NSW Rural Fire Service fire investigators and NSW Police Force for further investigation.

Even if there is no risk of fire, if you see someone littering from their vehicle, you can report them to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) . Fines start from $250 for an individual and $500 for a corporation.

In terms of public transport,  smoking is not permitted on any modes of public transport in NSW, including areas where passengers are waiting for a service, such as a station, stop or wharf.

Do you often see people smoking while driving?

NRMA Members who need advice on all things motoring can call NRMA’s Motoring Advice line on 13 11 22 from Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 5pm.

An NRMA Member recently asked us if it was an offence to flash your vehicle’s headlights to warn oncoming traffic about police checkpoints ahead. We consulted our legal experts, who gave the response below.

WORD TO THE WISE: flashing your headlights could see you end up in hot water

There is no specific Road Rule in NSW that states that you are not allowed to dip your lights to warn other road users that the police are ahead. However, you could receive an infringement if a police officer was to allege that while you were warning another driver, you are also likely to dazzle them.

NSW Road Rule 219 states a driver must not use, or allow to be used, any light fitted to or in the driver’s vehicle to dazzle, or in a way that is likely to dazzle, another road user. This type of offence can attract 1 demerit point and a $108 fine.

Another more specific Road Rule in NSW is Road Rule 218 which states:

The driver of a vehicle must not use the vehicle’s headlights on high-beam, or allow the vehicle’s headlights to be used on high-beam, if the driver is driving: (a) less than 200 metres behind a vehicle travelling in the same direction as the driver, or (b) less than 200 metres from an oncoming vehicle.

Both 218-1 (a) & (b) each attract 1 demerit point and a $108.00 fine. Once again, you could receive an infringement for breaching this rule while in the process of warning an approaching driver of a speed trap ahead.

Do you appreciate when other drivers give you a warning of police checkpoints ahead?

NRMA Members who need advice on all things motoring can call NRMA’s Motoring Advice line on 13 11 22 from Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 5pm.

Image courtesy of NSW Police Facebook page

NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol officers are out in force conducting Random Breath tests (RBT) and Random Drug Tests (RDT), and targeting driver behaviour in a three-day state-wide operation, which began this morning.

Operation Drink Drive 2 began at 12.01am this morning (Thursday 3 November 2016) and will run through until 11.59pm on Saturday (5 November 2016).

Over the course of the operation, police across the State will be maintaining high visibility, targeting dangerous driver behaviours including drink-driving, drug-driving, and speeding.

The overall aim of Operation Drink Drive 2 is to reduce the incidence of road trauma and stem the increasing road toll.

The current road toll stands at 332 lives lost in NSW this year, 42 more lives lost than this time last year.

Between January and September this year, there have been 1,317 crashes where alcohol was a factor, and during the same period 12,738 have been charged with drink-driving offences.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the State’s Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said that the onus is on road users to be responsible on the roads and arrive home safely.

“We will have officers all over the State monitoring speeds, testing for drink-driving and drug-driving, and taking action against anyone who breaks the law.

“We are not asking for much, we are simply asking for road-users to be responsible for their own actions and obey the law so that they can arrive home safely,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.

For more news from the NRMA, see our advocacy newsroom and car reviews and news.

RECORD BREAKER: Hyundai’s Ioniq hybrid sets a speed record

Sceptics of hybrid vehicles may need to re-evaluate their stance with Hyundai setting a land speed record using its new Ioniq hybrid.

Hybrids have long been praised for fuel economy, but many have scoffed at the performance delivered. Hyundai, however, have proven otherwise with the Ioniq clocking in at 254km/h – the fastest for a hybrid - at the Bonneville salt flats in Utah (USA).

The eco-focused IONIQ is Hyundai’s newest hybrid model, with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains to be available.

Read more: Fuel efficient vehicles

While the vehicle was race prepared with a few racing extras (nitrous injection system to boost power, suspension improvements and some weight reduction) it’s a victory for the manufacturer looking to compete with the popular Toyota Prius.

The production version of the Ioniq hybrid features a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 32kW/170Nm electric motor. Performance claims are a 0-100km/h time of 10.8sec and a top speed of 184km/h.

Hyundai Australia is expected to add the vehicle to its local line up in 2017.

Keen to buy a car? Contact NRMA Motoring Advice

Designed in collaboration with UK company Studio Hardie, the Nissan e-NV200 WORKSPACe claims to be the first fully electric mobile office, catering to the trend of “hot-desking”.

With the rise of mobile technology, autonomous vehicles and house prices, don’t be surprised to see more concept vehicles like this in the near future, which look to evolve the automobile from a transportation device into a space of work and leisure.

The e-NV200 WORKSPACe has been adapted from the Nissan e-NV200 electric van, which was a domestic shelter, rather than an office on wheels.

See here for motoring news and reviews from the NRMA.

Can you imagine working from a vehicle like this? Would your boss allow it? 

NO HORSEPLAY: Slow down and be prepared to stop.

In New South Wales, horses have the same rights as any motor vehicle. Classification of a rider includes any person who rides a motor bike, bike, animal or animal-drawn vehicle. 

It is an offense not to “give way” to “restive” horses. If a rider signals a motorist by raising a hand and pointing at the horse, the motorist is obliged to pull over to the left side of the road and turn the vehicle’s engine off until the horse/s have calmed down or have traveled far away enough not to be aggravated. You don’t want to see an aggravated horse, it’s the stuff nightmares are made of.

If you are a horse rider, you can’t travel on the road more than two abreast and must be within 1.5 meters of each other, riders must also form a single line on narrow roads and when turning corners. Horses and riders are permitted to travel on footpaths and nature strips provided they give way to pedestrians.

If you are a horse owner, make sure you have NRMA’s Premium Plus product to cover you, should you breakdown with a horsebox.

So watch out for ridden, driven or led horses and when you come across horse traffic remember:

• Stay stable and approach with care.
• Horses can be unpredictable so slow down and give them plenty of room.
• Never sound your horn, rev your engine or pass a horse at high speed.
• Slow down or stop if a rider is having difficulty with a horse.

It’s worth noting that horse riders are subject to the road rules in NSW, they don’t rein supreme. This means riders must be below the 0.05 blood-alcohol limit while on horseback and abide by the speed limit!

For more information about horse riding on roads in Australia, have a look at Horse SA’s road safety book.

Have you had any experience with horses on the road?

Traveling to music festivals is a great experience but make sure you and your car are prepared before you get on the road.

It’s coming up to that time of year when the weather heats up and tickets get snapped up for the biggest Australian music festivals, dotted around our vast country. 

Events like Falls Festival, Splendor In The Grass and Bluesfest draw massive crowds to remote locations far from home, creating an atmosphere festival goers love, away from the hustle and bustle of work, parents and routine.

However, the experience is not just about the destination, it’s about the journey too; the wheels that get you there are as important as the ticket that gets you in, and the music festival roadie becomes as epic as the festival itself!

Here are a few tips to make sure you have the best summer ever:

1. Music – Make sure you’ve created a playlist that includes all the artists you plan on seeing at the festival, find those not-so-known tracks to develop a greater appreciation for the artists, that way when you do see them in person it will be extraordinary.

2. Pit stops – Stopping for breaks during your trip gives everyone a chance to stretch and eat and allows the driver maintain the energy levels required to concentrate behind the wheel. Use the Driver Reviver rest stops scattered all across New South Wales.

3. Water and food – This may seem obvious but simple snacks stored in the glove box will help bridge the gap between pit stop meals. Make sure you also have plenty of drinks to stay hydrated as the inside of a hot car can easily induce headaches during the extreme Australian summer. Just remember to stay in proper control of the vehicle while eating and drinking.

4. Roadside assistance – If you’re aged between 17 and 20, take advantage of NRMA’s free roadside assistance with Free2go (16 year olds receive two free years). An additional perk of Free2go is that you don’t have to be the driver the vehicle to be covered. For those that are over 21, affordable Classic Care and Premium Care cover is also available. This way if you get a flat car battery, tyre or you run out of petrol an NRMA patrol will make sure you make it to the festival on time!

5. Car servicing – Prepare you car for probably the longest trip you’ll take it on all year. A 30 minute check at your local car service provider could prevent a breakdown on the way to the festival. If you’ve signed up to Free2go you’ll also receive Member discounts on car servicing and repairs.

6. Find cheap fuel - After festival tickets and camping admissions, festivals can really blow the budget so any savings on petrol can add up. Before you hit the road, download the my nrma app where you’ll find the cheapest petrol stations in New South Wales. This cheap fuel finder feature is free for anyone to download on android and iOS. You can also request and track your NRMA patrol from the mynrma app.

7. Alternative accommodation – Want to take your roadie to the next level? Hiring a campervan gives you more freedom on where you can stay while it could also save you money on accommodation depending on how big your group is. To browse available caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers in your area, visit Camplify.

Have you got any road trip tips to share with your fellow festival goers?