You've probably seen this scenario play out many times: You're driving and you see a vehicle in front of you with its turn signal on, so you leave plenty of room for that vehicle to move… but they never now do that.
- You should only use your indicators when necessary
- Failure to cancel the flash if you do not intend to change direction may result in a fine
- Fines apply in all Australian jurisdictions and some demerit points apply
Trucks are the most likely culprit, as it's difficult to hear the flash in the cab of a big rig, but all drivers can make this mistake at one time or another while driving.
But did you know that you could be fined for forgetting to cancel your blinker? And no, you can't blame the car for a gear shift not being reset – it's the driver's responsibility to make sure they can control any lighting on the outside of the car.
Lights and indicators are important ways in which other road users can gauge your intentions and there are strict rules about misuse of lights and flashers – whether accidentally or intentionally – without you should know.
Australian Road Rules Regulations 46(4) and 48(4) state: “The driver must stop giving a turning signal as soon as the driver has completed the change”.
So here's a summary of the price you may have to pay if you don't stop pointing it out.
New South Wales
You could be fined $194 in NSW for not canceling your flashing lights.
The penalty is similar for the acts of “Not stopping the left turn signal after changing direction” and “Not stopping the right turn signal after changing direction”.
Queensland
The QLD wording around this rule is slightly different. However, the purpose is still the same – you can be fined if you forget or intentionally do not cancel the flashing: “Failure to cancel or incorrect signal operation” ($165 fine).
Victoria
Like most other states, there will be no consequences for failing to cancel your flashing lights in Victoria, but there will be a fine of at least $165 for “Failure to cancel or incorrect signal operation”, if The staff member who checked you in is in a bad mood.
South Australia
South Australia has a very strong stance on signaling laws, with the stiffest penalties in the country for malpractice when signaling intent on the state's roads.
You could be hit with two penalty points and a $346 fine (including $99 Crime Victims Tax. Here are the applicable rules you may be breaking if you don't turn off your flashers:
- Failure to cancel left signal – fine $346, 2 demerit points
- Failure to cancel appropriate signal – $346 fine, 2 demerit points
- Wrong use of direction indicator – $346 fine, 2 demerit points
ACT
Like most other jurisdictions, the Australian Capital Territory does not impose infringement penalties for failing to turn off your warning lights. Instead, there is a potential $208 fine for “failure to stop left/right turn signal after change.”
Tasmania
You can be fined in Tasmania for turning on your flashers when you have not actually changed lanes or completed any movements as indicated:
- Failure to turn off the left indicator light when completing a change of direction ($146 fine)
- Failure to turn off the right indicator light when completing a change of direction ($146 fine)
- Using the indicator without permission ($95 fine)
western Australia
According to the WA Road Traffic Code 2000, “A driver must not allow the signaling equipment on the vehicle to continue to operate after completing a turn in respect of which the equipment has been put into operation”.
It will cost you one penalty unit or a $50 fine.
Northern Territory
Section 12 of the Traffic Offenses Schedule states that you will be fined, but your license will not be revoked if you do not cancel your turn signals. “Unable to cancel the signal – fine 40 USD”.
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant roads authority in your state or Territory.
