Feeling the pinch every time you get a traffic fine? You might be surprised to learn that while the ACT can feel expensive, it's not the priciest place in Australia when it comes to traffic penalties!
It's easy to feel like you're paying an arm and a leg for car registration and parking tickets in the Australian Capital Territory. However, a recent deep dive into traffic fine data across the nation by insurance company iSelect reveals that Canberrans might actually be getting off lighter than some other Australians. They've crunched the numbers on common offenses like speeding, using mobile phones while driving, not buckling up, and even failing to properly restrain your pets. While it might not feel like it, the ACT isn't always at the top of the fine-paying list.
Let's break down how ACT fines stack up, and perhaps offer some solace (or a reason to be extra careful!).
Speeding Fines: A Tale of Two Extremes
When it comes to minor speeding offenses, yes, the ACT is indeed one of the more expensive jurisdictions. For instance, exceeding the speed limit by a mere 10 to 15 km/h will cost you $335 in the ACT. To put that in perspective, this is significantly higher than New South Wales ($149), Victoria ($254), South Australia ($208), Tasmania ($153.75), Western Australia ($100), and the Northern Territory ($150). Even Queensland isn't far behind at $333.
But here's where it gets interesting... As the speed increases, the ACT's fines start to become more competitive, and in some cases, much lower than other states. For exceeding the speed limit by 15 to 30 km/h, ACT drivers face a $498 fine. Compare this to New South Wales ($592), Queensland ($751), and a hefty $955 in South Australia.
And when you really put your foot down? Driving 30 to 40 km/h over the limit incurs a $700 fine in the ACT, a stark contrast to the eye-watering $1736 in South Australia and $1251 in Queensland. For the most serious speeding offenses, exceeding the limit by 45 km/h or more, the ACT penalty is $1841. While this might seem substantial, New South Wales takes the crown for the highest penalty nationally at $3054, over a thousand dollars more than any other state or territory!
Red Lights, Phones, and Seatbelts: Where Does the ACT Stand?
Running a red light in the ACT will set you back $451. This is lower than New South Wales ($562), Queensland ($667), and South Australia ($573). Tasmania offers the cheapest penalty at just $202.
When it comes to using a mobile phone while driving, the ACT's $674 fine is higher than New South Wales ($423), Victoria ($611), and Tasmania ($404). However, it's considerably less than Queensland ($1251) and Western Australia ($1000).
Failing to wear a seatbelt or wearing it incorrectly results in a $574 fine in the ACT. Again, Queensland has the highest penalty at $1251, while New South Wales' fine is $423.
Less Common, But Much Bigger Fines!
Now, let's talk about offenses that might not happen every day but carry some seriously hefty penalties. The differences here can be quite dramatic.
Driving with an unrestrained animal, like a dog, in your vehicle incurs a massive $3200 fine in the ACT. This is more than five times the penalty for an unrestrained human! Queensland leads the pack with the highest penalty at $8625, while the Northern Territory has the lowest at just $100.
And this is the part that might shock you... Smoking in a car with children under 16 carries an on-the-spot fine of $250, but this can skyrocket to $7500 if it goes to court. Tasmania's penalties can reach $2400, and in the Northern Territory, magistrates can impose fines of up to $2980.
Even seemingly minor infractions can vary wildly. Having a hand or arm outside a vehicle window might seem harmless, but it will cost you $219 in the ACT, compared to $349 in New South Wales and a mere $50 in both Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Unregistered and Uninsured Vehicles: The Big Hitters
The penalties for driving unregistered and uninsured vehicles are where the fines really start to sting.
In the ACT, driving an unregistered vehicle results in a $700 fine, and driving uninsured carries a $1009 penalty. Because compulsory third-party insurance is bundled with your registration in the ACT, it's common to incur both if your renewal is late.
Queensland has the highest fine for an uninsured vehicle at a staggering $10,676, followed closely by South Australia at up to $10,000, and Western Australia at $8,000. Tasmania's uninsured fine is $3,440, while New South Wales' is $818.
It Could Always Be Worse... Much Worse!
Of course, the simplest way to avoid any fine is to obey the law. But it's always a good reminder to appreciate what we have.
Imagine living in Finland, where fines are calculated based on your income! In 2023, a businessman was fined an astonishing $205,000 (€121,000) for driving 30 km/h over the speed limit. That certainly puts our local fines into perspective!
What do you think? Are ACT fines fair, or do you feel they are too high or too low for certain offenses? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your perspective!
