You can remember a family member driving down the street, leaving the key in the ignition and rolling down the windows, getting out of the car and into the shops, and then coming back to find their car still lying there. stay in place, not a sound of flapping wings. from below one of the windshield wipers. Where are those days now?
- It may be against the law to leave your car’s windows open if you’re not near it
- Various fines for offenses
- Leaving your car unlocked can also get you in trouble
Today, in most parts of Australia it is illegal to leave your car unlocked or with the windows down. And don’t even think about leaving the key in the ignition.
It’s all clearly aimed at reducing car theft rates. Making it harder to steal cars means there is probably less paperwork to be done about stolen cars, while penalizing drivers for rolling down their windows is seen as a measure. “safe” method.
To be clear, you are allowed to leave your windows at a glance. In some jurisdictions it is 2 cm, while others allow a delay of up to 5 cm.
Here is a list of rules across Australia:
New South Wales
In NSW you can lower the windshield 2cm, but you cannot let the car drive, or roll down the windows, or leave the car unlocked, or leave anyone 16 or under in the car, or leave the keys in the lock, if you’re going to be more than three meters from the car.
If windows can be “secure” they should be. The door is the same, if it can be locked, it must be locked.
Fines may apply for failure to protect your vehicle ($114).
Queensland
The rules are similar to NSW, but the allowed window spacing is 5cm. Penalty up to 20 penalty units – or a staggering maximum penalty of $2874. It would take a cranky cop to try that punishment.
Victoria
While there have been stories of people being fined for leaving their car windows in Vic, the wording in the Road Safety Penalty document doesn’t specify anything of the sort that deserves a fine.
“Leave a motor vehicle unattended while the key is being turned on, the engine is running, the brakes are not engaged, or the door is unlocked” – not to mention windows, there – but you could be fined 185 dollars for that violation. Reports indicate that Victoria allows windows to be lowered by 5 cm.
South Australia
If you don’t want to lock your car or close your windows, SA is the place for you. Under the 2014 state Road Traffic Regulations (Road Rules—Ancillary and Other Provisions) it states that “South Australian motorists are exempt from rule 213 (Ensure for motor vehicles)”.
tasmania
Like some states, the law requires turning off the vehicle, removing the key from the ignition and making sure you don’t leave any minors (16 years or younger) in the car if you’re in it. will be more than three meters away from the vehicle.
The regulation also states: you must ensure that the doors are locked and the windows are fixed (a window is ‘secure’ even if it is opened up to 2 cm). Fine: $87.
Western Australia
Again, the rules in Western Australia are the same – doors and windows should be closed three meters away from a car. Fine: $50.
But there’s a rule that, if you’re going to pay for parking, you don’t have to lock the car and close the windows.
ACT
Make sure you protect your vehicle while you’re in the ACT. It follows many of the same rules as the rest of the states – if you’re more than three people away, windows must be open and doors locked. But it has the potential for huge fines for those who don’t – 20 fine units, or $3,200.
NT
There don’t seem to be any specific vehicle security laws in the Northern Territory, but the NT Neighborhood Watch Foundation recommends that drivers keep their doors and windows closed and never leave their keys in. in the lock.
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant road authority in your state or territory.
