Australia has maintained aggressive safety enforcement actions over the last few years. This is due to the fact that Australia has had severe road safety legislation since the 1990’s with the intent to lower the fatalities and injuries that occur as a result of road accidents. One issue that the authorities have raised is the number of motorcycle and scooter riders who are carrying un-helmeted passengers. Fines of 2,208 dollars have been placed on riders that carry 4 or more un-helmeted passengers. Australia has made is clear, that road safety will not be tolerated, and risky behavior will have serious financial consequences.
The Importance of Drive Safety
Wearing helmets and other safety gear has continually shown to reduce the risks of sustaining severe injuries and fatalities from motorcycle accidents. In Australia, the ARR 270 states that riders and passengers on a motorcycle must wear a helmet. However, helmet laws are not the only laws that are being broken. Australian authorities have reported that there are many other unregulated laws being broken and many of these violations involve children. No helmets or other safety gear being used is a violation of the ARR that has severe fines. This is an issue that Australia as a whole is working on, to lower the risks involved with unregulated road use and to reduce the road toll.
Legal Framework and Enforcement
When it comes to state transport regulations, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria states place the responsibility on the riders to ensure that every passenger on the bike is wearing an approved AS/NZS 1698 standard safety helmet. Fines increase significantly for exceeding the seater limit and for not wearing safety head gear. Four or more unhelmated passengers also incur the combined offence of $2208 and 6 demerit points. In more extreme cases, riders could expect impounding of the motorcycle and suspension of the riders licence.
| Violation | Fine (AUD) | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 unhelmeted passenger | $412 | 3 points |
| 2–3 unhelmeted passengers | $1,104 | 4 points |
| 4+ unhelmeted passengers | $2,208 | 6 points |
The Fines Say Alot
The fines do not predominately focus on revenue, but more on the importance of saving lives. Transport Australia statistics show that 40% of motor cycle deaths are caused by improper helmet use or passengers not wearing one. Issuing these fines place responsibility on the riders and protect passengers. In more extreme cases the riders will be charged for criminal negligence if an unprotected or unhelmated passenger is injured or killed. This is parallel to the 2050 “Vision Zero” goal of zero road deaths.
Public Awareness and Education
The government promotes education and awareness campaigns at the community level in conjunction with stricter enforcement. Schools, rider clubs, and transport authorities communicate, “One bike, one helmet, one life.” Social media campaigns and local workshops address the issue of overloading motorcycles and aim to educate young riders and their parents. Long-term solutions to responsible road use and respect from fellow road users begin with public awareness.
The Bigger Picture for Road Safety
Australia has enacted new enforcement measures which send a message to all road users: dangerously prioritizing safety is not worth the risk. Helmets are essential to road safety and the law is in place to protect citizens. With fines of more than $2000 for having multiple unhelmeted passengers, the law is starting to take road safety more seriously. Education, compliance, and enforcement are the cornerstones to keeping road safety standards improving in Australia.
FAQs
Q1. Do helmet laws vary across Australian states?
Yes, each state enforces its own penalties, but all require riders and passengers to wear approved helmets meeting the AS/NZS 1698 standard.
Q2. Is it the case that passengers below 16 can ride without a helmet?
No, there are no exceptions. All riders are required to wear helmets. If a minor who is riding as a passenger does not wear a helmet, additional fines can be issued to the operator.
Q3. What if the fines are not paid?
Unpaid fines may lead to the suspension of the operator’s license and/or loss of license and can be sent to collection agencies.
