Did you know about this?
Road trips can be long tiring experiences. With all that driving and all that singing to your favourite 90’s tunes, it can be tempting for your passenger to recline their seat back and have a little snooze.
Well, as it turns out, that could end up costing both you and your passenger some serious cash.
In NSW, it is illegal for a passenger to be in a moving vehicle with their seat reclined. If you are caught, it could cost you $337 and three demerit points. Plus, if your passenger is 16 years or older the passenger can also receive a $337 fine.
While it might not seem like a dangerous act, reclining the seat means that the passenger’s seatbelt isn’t adjusted correctly and could cause some serious injuries if the car was to get into a crash.
Furthermore, according to a spokesperson for Transport NSW, a passenger reclining in this way can also block side view mirrors.
“It’s strongly advised that passengers only recline the car seat while the vehicle is stationary,” the spokesman told news.com.au.
“Rule 297(2) provides that a driver must have a clear view of the road, and traffic, ahead, behind and to each side of the driver. A $330 fine and three demerit points applies for disobeying this rule.”
The rules and penalties for reclining passengers differ from state to state.
In Victoria, the driver can be fined $363 and three demerit points, while the passenger would cop a $322 fine. In the ACT, drivers can receive a $492 fine, while in Western Australia they cop a whopping $550 fine.
So, from now on, when your passenger is feeling a little sleepy after demolishing a pie from a servo, make sure they stay upright.
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Written by Kate Stevens
Images: Getty
