Ask Ponch

[mickq]

Uncle Ponch,

what happens, pay fine, pay fine & fix, pay fine & replace.

Scotty

In Victoria (and I imagine every other place) any modifications to a numberplate may only be carried out by a licenced license plate modification expert. This includes simple things like touching up the paint.

[plonky]

Mickq

Can you point us in the direction of licensed licence plate modification experts?

Would that include the RTA?

[Guest wrxboy]

The answer may be obvious, but why is it illegal to drive barefoot? Sometimes if I'm wearing boots or other bulky shoes, I find it is easier to take my shoes off so that I'm able to operate the pedals better. Surely this is safer than tripping over the pedals?

[plonky]

The answer may be obvious, but why is it illegal to drive barefoot? Sometimes if I'm wearing boots or other bulky shoes, I find it is easier to take my shoes off so that I'm able to operate the pedals better. Surely this is safer than tripping over the pedals?

WRXBoy I would suggest that you ask Mickq as the laws in Victoria are apparently different to anywhere else in Australia.

The barefoot question you have posed may be defined under the Victoria Road Rules and as I'm from NSW and have only used the Australian Road Rules and specific legislation from New South Wales, I will probably be wrong.......again.

[cdm]

Is it illegal to flash your headlights at oncoming cars to warn them of a mobile speed camera or HWP?

Is it illegal to flash someone (from a distance) who is blocking the right hand lane when they are clearly slower than the rest of the traffic?

Is it illegal to toot the horn when you see someone you know? (I suspect this may be some kind of unnecessary noise polution?)

Cheers.

[saleen]

QUOTE (P'cisT @ Nov 5 2003, 01:50 PM)

Not that I'd ever do this, but I hate it when people do:

When parallel parking in a spot with cars both in front and behind the spot, are you allowed to touch-park? eg. keep reversing slowly until you hit the other car softly, before going forwards again 

Absolutely not.

You are colliding with the cars.

If the space is so small or your skills are so low that this is the only way you can park in that spot, then you should not be parking in that spot as it is too small for you.

There is no reason you can legally knowingly collide with another vehicle and not be at fault.

(PS I HATE touch parkers. Lazy, inconsiderate rude, poorly skilled losers. You shouldnt be driving if you park like this. Modern cars DONT have bumpers that cope with touch parkers, and can cost hundreds or thousands to fix when idiots touch park).

Wasn't this already answered by Ponch. Geez, do we have really need unprofessional incoherrant blabberings strapped onto every question???

[plonky]

Is it illegal to flash your headlights at oncoming cars to warn them of a mobile speed camera or HWP?

Is it illegal to flash someone (from a distance) who is blocking the right hand lane when they are clearly slower than the rest of the traffic?

Is it illegal to toot the horn when you see someone you know? (I suspect this may be some kind of unnecessary noise polution?)

Cheers.

Flashing headlights is an offence if you cause unnecessary glare or use highbeam on an oncoming vehicle.

However, in daytime it is almost impossible to enforce legislation regarding lights (it may be different in Victoria)

In fact, if flashing each other with lights slows people down ay blackpost areas where a stationary revenue collector is positioned, I can;t see the problem. You are in effect, increasing the radius of the deterrent effect of the stationary speed camera (and we are talking about stationary speed cameras as revenue collectors, NOT stationary or mobile HWP cars)

Flashing high beams to warn a vehicle you are rapidly approaching comes under the same rule as previously mentioned, however, the high beam is intended to be a waring, not as an intimidatory tactic.

There is an offence for 'Unnecessary Use of Horn' as the horn is a warning device only. This may be different in another State.

[Guest P'cisT]

I have noticed some cars have changed their number plates light globes on the rear to a differing colour (eg blue, red, orange, green, etc). Is this actually allowed?

[Velvet Glove]

"Crabbes Case is a good example of wanton disregard (based on his subjective version) He was a truck driver that was ejected from a NT pub. He returned to his prime mover and trailer and drove the combo into the pub killing a number of people. He was convicted of murder even though he denied having any intent to kill the people inside the pub, mainly because his action/inaction would be something a reasonable person could have expected would happen if you drive a semi trailer into the public bar of a Hotel. "

Actually CRABBE's case was more to do with 'foresight of consequences' in realtion to murder, but the point is well made

[xa-coupe]

Is it legal to drive barefooted?

l assume its illegal to eat/drink while driving, so why can you smoke and drive 

In Victoria: no it is not legal to drive barefooted.

hrmm.. what's the offence then???

It can't be failing to maintain full control because you need to actually fail to manintain full control.. not careless... the Fashion Police don't dabble in road law so that's out ...

As far as I am aware there is no penalty for driving barefoot ...