Chances are you already know to stop if you’re involved in a car crash. But what happens if you’re just a witness to one? Are you legally required to pull over?

The scenario

You’ve just seen a car T-bone another. You’re travelling a few metres away and witness the entire crash. Shaken, you don’t know whether you’re supposed to stop to check if everyone’s okay.

In this instance, your moral and legal obligations are very different. While you should stop if it’s safe to do so, it’s not legally required. That said, if you’re involved in the crash in any way, you must stop your vehicle. This is where you can, in fact, be fined for not stopping, and the penalties are hefty.

The Australian Road Rules state a motorist can be fined up to $2500 if they’re involved in a crash and fail to stop. When someone is injured or killed in a road crash, a motorist can face up to five years imprisonment, and sometimes an on-the-spot licence disqualification, if they don’t stop at the scene of the crash.

So, what should you do if you witness a serious crash?

While you won’t be fined for not stopping if you witness a crash (serious or not), it’s advised you stop in a safe place if possible to see if you can assist anyone involved in the crash.

RAA Senior Manager for Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says a motorist should only pull over if it’s safe to do so and they’re confident they can help if required.

“If you see a crash or are the first to arrive at the scene, your quick-thinking and action can save lives,” Charles says.

3 steps to follow if you witness a crash

You’ve stopped; now what? Keep calm and follow these simple steps.

1.  Stop

Find a safe place on the side of the road to stop, turn off your engine and put your hazard lights on.

“Park a few metres from the crash site to avoid broken glass, active fires, or spilled fuels on the road,” Charles says.

2. Report

Call emergency services immediately on 000, unless this has already been done by other witnesses.

3. Help

If it’s safe to approach the crash site, check on the health of the cars’ occupants and provide help where you can. Avoid moving them if you can in case their injuries worsen. If there’s an active fire or other high-risk danger, wait for emergency services.

“Witnessing a car crash, serious or not, can be a traumatic experience but knowing what actions to take can make you a valuable asset to everyone involved,” Charles says.

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You’re driving down Jetty Road at Glenelg and a hit tune comes on the radio. Without hesitation, you crank up the music to the maximum volume and start singing along.

The music is so loud that the entire street knows what song you’re listening to, and you’re unable to hear anything happening outside of the car, whether it’s sirens from an ambulance or somebody honking the horn.

Playing deafening music in your car might seem harmless, but have you broken the law? Potentially.

While there isn’t a specific rule in South Australia that says you can be fined for playing loud music, there is an offence for ‘emitting excessive noise from a vehicle’.

According to the rule, police can stop anybody driving a vehicle that’s making excessive noise from sound equipment or other devices. What’s excessive? Noise that’s unreasonably disturbing people near the vehicle.

Drivers playing excessively loud music from their vehicle can be issued a written warning to turn it off immediately. If the motorist ignores the warning, they can then be fined up to $1250.

Could loud music put you at risk?

Not only could you be disturbing the peace, with the loud music you’re playing, but you could also be putting you and other road users at risk.

RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says loud music can reduce your awareness of your surroundings.

Apart from reducing your awareness of what’s happening around you, listening to loud music for long periods in a confined space can cause long-term hearing loss.

“You may not hear sirens from emergency vehicles, horns from other drivers or level crossing warnings,” Charles says.

“It could also put vulnerable road users at risk if you can’t hear a cyclist’s bell, or the music may drown out the sound of motorcycles lane filtering.

“It’s best to keep your music at a reasonable level so you can still hear what’s going on around you.”

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Drive through Adelaide’s CBD or on certain arterial roads often enough and you’ll come across a bus lane.

Given the name, it seems obvious, but are there circumstances where you can drive in a bus lane?

There are two types of bus lanes in SA – bus-only lanes and priority bus lanes.

Bus only lanes

Bus-only lanes are painted red or have red line markings and ‘BUS ONLY’ in white lettering at least every 200 metres. For example, on Hackney Road where the lanes are only for O-Bahn buses.

Only public buses and emergency vehicles can use bus-only lanes legally.

Get caught driving or stopping in a bus only lane and you’re looking at a fine of $289, plus a $105 Victims of Crime Levy.

Remember, don’t drive in the red.

Priority bus lanes

Priority bus lanes, found on roads like Grenfell Street, Currie Street and Anzac Highway, are shown by painted signs in the lane.

These lanes are for buses, emergency vehicles, cyclists and taxi drivers to use during the times stated on the signs or marked on the road.

Some bus lanes operate on weekdays between 7am and 7pm, while others operate during the morning and afternoon peak times. Outside the indicated times, any vehicle can use them. If no times or days are specified, restrictions always apply.

While a priority bus lane is active, you must not park, stop or drive the lane, except when entering or leaving a road, overtaking a vehicle turning right or making a U-turn, or avoiding an obstruction. In each case, the maximum distance you can travel in the priority bus lane is 100 metres.

For example, you’re travelling west along Currie Street in the right lane and turning left onto Morphett Street at Light Square. You can legally use the bus lane to make the turn as long as you travel less than 100 metres in the lane.

Fail to follow the rules and you risk a $329 fine and a $105 Victims of Crime Levy.

Giving way to buses

While we’re talking buses, it’s timely to mention the rules around giving way to them.

In a built-up area, drivers and cyclists must give way to any bus displaying a ‘give way to buses’ sign if it’s indicating to pull out from the kerb.

On roads with two or more car lanes, this only applies to drivers in the left lane or cyclists in a bike lane. If the left lane is blocked by a parked vehicle, drivers in the next lane over must also give way.

If there’s no give way sign displayed on the bus, you don’t need to legally give way. The rule only applies when a bus is entering traffic, not changing lanes, although it’s always courteous to let the bus in if you can. Bus drivers are still required to indicate right for at least five seconds before moving off from the side of the road.

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There are about 1.7 million people carrying smartphones and 1.5 million registered vehicles on SA roads. Statistically there are more phones than cars – a potentially fatal combination.

The ongoing mobile phone detection camera roll-out means the rules are suddenly more prominent in our recent memory.

But laws banning motorists from holding and using a phone while driving have been in place in SA for almost two decades, with a handful of changes and updates made along the way.

And as our phones rapidly absorb more of what used to live in our wallets, the rules have had to keep being fine-tuned along the way.

Here are four times you can legally use your mobile phone while sitting behind the wheel of a running vehicle.

1. To pay

It’s been 10 years since tap-to-pay smartphone technology started nudging physical cards out of our wallets, making using a phone to pay while behind the wheel a bit of a grey area.

South Australian Road rules state that a driver can be stationary in a road-related area, engine running and keys in ignition – and legally hold their phone to make a payment – provided that the payment is required in the road related area. That can be when you’re at:

• A fast food drive-thru payment window, before stowing your phone  (not on your lap) before driving on to collect your meal
• A car park boom gate requiring payment to exit
• A grocery service window to present a digital gift card, QR code or voucher
• A car wash payment terminal.

This means you can’t pay back your passenger for your share of the meal as you drive away, or at lights, intersections or times when stopped in traffic.

2. To show ID

In October 2017, SA became the first Australian state to launch a digital driver’s licence, pipping NSW by one month and giving wallet manufacturers further cause for anxiety.

Through the mySA GOV app, South Australians could leave their physical wallet at home, instead presenting their phone to verify age for entry into pubs and clubs, and for roadside police checks.

Like paying for goods and services, holding a phone for purposes of ID has been cleared up in the legislation. You may hold your phone in your hand when your car is stationary in a road-related area to:

• Open the mySA GOV app and show your digital driver’s licence when asked by police
• Display a digital pass (such as when entering a gated car park) or staff access card at a boom gate for entry or exit
• Present digital proof of concession at a car park entry for discounted rate
• Show a digital boat registration or permit (as of November 2024) at a boat ramp entry point.

Again, this doesn’t mean you can hold your phone when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights.

3. To get from A to B

Gone are the days of carefully plotting your route page by page using a Gregorys Street Directory (and definitely not balancing it precariously on your knees while driving).

While digital navigating has been around since the 1990s, messing about with navigation on any touch screen (phone or otherwise), is just as distracting as balancing the street directory on your knees.

Many cars on the road predate Apple CarPlay or Android Auto entirely. Even in newer cars, built-in map updates can cost hundreds of dollars and may already be out of date on arrival. Smartphone apps with real-time traffic rerouting remain, for many drivers, simply more reliable.

What does this mean under SA’s phone laws? Unlike the previous two examples, using a mobile phone as a navigation aid can be done while the car is moving (unless you’re a L or P1 licence holder), but only under specific conditions.

The Australian Road Rules state that you can use your phone as a navigational tool while moving, but only if it’s secured in a proper mount and you can’t touch or tap any part of the phone or screen at any point while driving.

4. To make or receive an audio call

The car-phone was the original mobile phone, with technology so large it needed a vehicle to make and take calls transportable. Today, it’s still possible to use your phone to make or receive an audio call while driving, but only under certain circumstances.

• If your phone is securely mounted in a cradle attached to the vehicle, you may touch it to accept or end a call
• If your phone isn’t mounted (say, in your centre console or pocket) you may still make or receive an audio call without touching the phone. For example, you can use Bluetooth or voice activation. You can’t hold or look at the phone, rest it on your body (including your lap) or press or manipulate it in any way.

A quick note on what audio call means. You can’t make video calls, read or write text messages, or scroll through social media. It’s best to pull over and park, so you can give your recipient your full attention.

Rules for learners and P1 licence holders

If you have a learner’s permit or are a P1 provisional licence holder, there are special rules. You can use a mobile function to: pay for goods and services or show a code or coupon, or show identification.

You can’t use a smartphone as a navigation tool, even mounted in a cradle, or use any phone function while the car is moving, like hands-free or Bluetooth.

And, like all other motorists on the road, you still can’t use it when stopped at traffic lights or stationary in traffic.

The post 4 scenarios where you can use your phone at the wheel appeared first on samove.com.au.

In this short and sharp quiz, we test your knowledge on a new speed-rule that’s catching people out, the definition of a common SA pedestrian crossing, and the law to keep students safer near the school bus.

*Enter your answers, then click ‘submit’ at the end to check your score.

The post Quiz: Three tricky road rules appeared first on samove.com.au.

Whether you’re navigating turn-only lanes, zip merging or overtaking, indicator rules are less straightforward than you’d think. Here’s what the Australian Road Rules say, and what it’ll cost if you get it wrong.

Imagine a world where indicator rules didn’t exist and motorists were unable to signal their intentions on the road. It would be chaos.

When we’re on the road, we put a lot of trust in other motorists, relying on them to obey the indicator rules, whether it’s stopping at red lights, sticking to the speed limit or using their indicators.

Merging, turning and changing lanes would be extremely dangerous without prior warning, and cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users would be at greater risk.

Thankfully, indicators are installed on all motor vehicles and must be used to show other road users your intentions. Yet, there is still some confusion about indicator rules and how, and when, we need to use the device while on the road. Below we’ve answered a few commonly asked indicator questions.

Do I need to indicate when I’m in a turn-only lane?

Staggeringly, almost two thirds of motorists don’t know that they must indicate when making a turn in a turn-only lane, according to a recent sa move quiz.

What is a turn-only lane? It’s a designated lane that requires drivers to turn in a specific direction (left or right) at an intersection.

The quiz, which tested motorists in several scenarios, revealed that 61 per cent of road users thought they didn’t have to indicate right in a lane where they were unable to turn left or travel straight.

Despite no other turning options being available, the Australian Road Rules state that a driver must indicate when changing direction, including when there’s a turn-only lane.

Making a turn in a turn-only lane, doing a U-turn and pulling over to the side of the road are all examples of changing direction.

RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says it might be obvious which direction you’re heading, but other road users can’t always see the arrow markings underneath your vehicle.

“To ensure the safety of all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, you still have to indicate when you’re in a turn-only lane,” Charles says.

“While it might seem unnecessary to indicate because once you’re in the lane you must follow the specified direction, indicating confirms the direction to other road users and pedestrians.”

How long do I need to indicate for?

You’re at the wheel and moving from a stationary position on the side of the road. How long must you indicate? Three seconds, five seconds or it doesn’t matter if other motorists see you indicate?

If you said five seconds, you’re one of the 62 per cent who answered correctly in a 2024 sa move quiz.

According to the Australian Road Rules, if you’re about to move from a stationary position on the side of the road, you must indicate for a full five seconds before pulling away from the kerb.

Remember to give way to all traffic, including cyclists or pedestrians, before moving off.

If you fail to indicate before moving from a stationary position, you risk a $392 fine plus a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and two demerit points.

On the road, the rules change slightly. When switching lanes, there isn’t a set time you need to indicate, but you must provide sufficient warning to other road users that you’re changing direction and ensure there’s enough room to do so.

You must also signal your intentions using your indicators to:

• Turn left or right, including leaving the continuing road at a modified T-junction
• Make a U-turn
• Leave a roundabout (by indicating left where practical)
• Turn left or right when moving into a parking space.

Can I be fined for not flicking my indicator off?

You’re at the wheel of your car and you indicate before turning a corner. A few hundred metres down the road you realise you’ve left the indicator switched on. Can you be fined?

Leaving your indicator on may be seen as a misuse of a direction signal, and you could be fined $262, receive a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and two demerit points.

Charles says leaving your indicator on could confuse other road users if you’re not planning to change directions.

“If you leave your indicator on, a person entering traffic from a side road might assume you’re turning and pull out in front of you,” Charles says.

“It’s good practice to check your indicators have switched off after you’ve completed a change-of-direction manoeuvre.”

Do I need to indicate when zip merging?

When driving on a road and the number of lanes reduces, and there are no lane markings, you must give way to the vehicle ahead of you. Vehicles take turns merging like teeth on a zipper, hence the name zip merge.

While you’re not technically required to signal when zip merging, it’s good etiquette to signal left or right as you move across into the continuing lane. This has the added benefit of helping traffic merge smoothly.

The Driving Companion also advises that when merging and moving left or right by more than one metre, drivers should indicate.

Can I indicate to tell another motorist the road ahead is clear?

You’re driving along a country road and towing a caravan. There’s a car behind looking to overtake and, to give them a heads up that the road ahead is clear, you flick on your right indicator. Courteous or confusing?

Although you mean well, using your indicator for this purpose can be confusing and dangerous if the driver misinterprets your intentions and thinks you’re signalling the road ahead is clear but you’re actually turning right.

At the end of the day, it’s up to the overtaking driver to determine if it’s safe to pass. Using your indicator to show the road ahead is clear could result in a $262 fine, a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and two demerit points.

The post The indicator rules every driver needs to know appeared first on samove.com.au.

E-scooters and e-bikes are a nifty and quick way to get around in the city or suburban streets.

However, there are rules you need to follow when riding personal mobility devices like e-scooter, e-skateboards and e-solo wheels.

Break the e-scooter rules and there are some hefty consequences. According to the SA Government’s My Licence website, personal mobility device users who break the road rules could be fined up to $2500 and receive demerit points. If the e-scooter user accrues 12 points over a three-year period, they could lose their driver’s licence.

South Australians breaking e-scooter rules

Many South Australians are confused about e-scooter laws, with new RAA research revealing eight in 10 respondents don’t know the speed limits on the road (25km/h). The survey also found that 85 per cent of people don’t know the e-scooter speed limit on the footpath is 10km/h.

More than three quarters of people surveyed were unaware that 16 is the minimum age to ride an e-scooter in a public area.

E-scooter riders at risk

In 2025, one person was killed and another 63 injured in e-scooter crashes, according to SA police figures.

RAA Senior Manager of Road Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says the survey results reveal a significant knowledge gap that poses a real safety risk to riders and pedestrians.

“RAA is concerned about people buying and riding e-scooters – including parents buying them for their children – without knowing the laws that exist to protect them,” Charles says.

“E-scooters can be a convenient way for people to get around and complete short trips, but riders need to know the rules to keep themselves and others safe.”

“By understanding the laws and riding responsibly, South Australians can enjoy the benefits of e-scooters while keeping themselves safe and our footpaths and roads safe for everyone.”

The other ways you can lose your licence without driving

Breaking the rules on an e-scooter isn’t the only non-driving related offence that can lead to losing your licence.  Here are a few other ways you could have your licence disqualified.

Breaking the road rules: Riding a bike doesn’t mean you’re exempt from the road rules. In fact, cyclists can get fines and demerit points for a range of infringements. For example, if you’re caught riding a bicycle while under the influence, you could be fined up to $500 and accrue up to six demerit points on your driver’s licence.

Graffiti: Those graffiti tags or ‘artwork’ might seem harmless, but they could result in severe consequences. You might even lose your licence. Vandals busted marking graffiti on multiple occasions could lose their driver’s licence for up to six months and get a fine of up to $5000 or even a 12-month prison sentence.

Unpaid fines or state debts: If you have unpaid fines or state debts, you might want to pay them sooner rather than later. You could have your licence suspended if overdue fines remain unpaid, and you won’t be allowed to drive a vehicle or supervise a learner driver.

A licence suspension is different to a disqualification and can occur regardless of the number of demerit points you have accrued. If your licence is suspended, for this reason, you’ll need to pay your fines in full to have it reinstated.

Passengers without seatbelts: If a passenger is caught not wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle, the driver can be fined $448 plus a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and receive three demerit points. If there’s more than one passenger not wearing the correct seatbelt or restraint, the driver can be fined $530, plus a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and five demerit points.

It’s not only the driver who could be in strife if passengers aren’t wearing their seatbelts. Passengers over the age of 16 who fail to buckle up will receive a $448 fine, $105 Victims of Crime Levy and three demerit points. If they have a learners permit or provisional licence, they’ll only need one more demerit point before they have their licence disqualified.

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Whether we’re driving, walking or riding, we all have to cross roads, paths and railway lines. But, do you know your crossings?

Wherever there’s a crossing, there’s the risk of a collision, so take our quiz and get to the other side confidently and safely.

*Enter your answers, then click ‘see my results’ at the end to check your score.

1. The Fletcher Road railway crossing in Mount Barker has a 'Stop – look for trains' sign. You drive across it most days but have never seen a train pass. Do you still need to stop each time you cross the tracks?

A. Yes, but only when the SteamRanger train is running

B. Only if you see a train coming

C. Yes, you must come to a complete stop every time before crossing

D. You only need to give way, but not stop, at this crossing because trains are rare

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2. The 25km/h speed limit in school zones applies for which of these times?

A. Whenever children are present at any time of day, but only during the school term

B. Only between 8am and 9.30am and 2pm and 4pm during the school term

C. Whenever children are present at pick-up and drop-off times, but during the school term

D. Whenever children are present in the zone at any time of day, any day of the year

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3. You’re waiting at a level crossing for a train to pass. Once the train has passed, the boom barriers rise and you drive over the crossing without waiting for the lights to stop flashing. Have you broken the law?

A. Yes

B. No

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4. You’re walking west down Rundle Mall and arrive at King William Street. You notice the numbered pedestrian timer has started counting down. Is it illegal for you to start crossing King William Street?

A. Yes

B. No

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5. In this scenario, the red car is turning right onto North Street from Military Road at Henley Beach, while the blue car is travelling straight ahead. Three pedestrians are approaching North Street to cross. Which of these statements is most accurate?

A. The pedestrians must not cross North Street until all vehicles have exited the roundabout

B. The driver of the red car can legally enter the roundabout but must give way to the pedestrians crossing North Street

C. The driver of the blue car can’t enter the roundabout legally until the pedestrians have crossed North Street

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6. Emu crossings have white road markings, orange flags, and red and white posts either side. Where will you find an emu crossing?

A. Along the North-South Bikeway on Frome Street and Frome Road

B. In areas known for collisions between vehicles and emus, such as national parks

C. Within school zones

D. Nowhere – they’re called koala crossings, not emu crossings

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7. Which of these statements about the zebra crossing on Pirie Street in the CBD is most accurate?

A. All vehicles must give way to pedestrians and cyclists on or entering the crossing, but only during office hours

B. All vehicles must give way to pedestrians and cyclists on or entering the crossing, at all times

C. All vehicles must give way to pedestrians and cyclists on or entering the crossing, but only between 7am and 7pm

D. Pedestrians and cyclists must only cross when there are no vehicles waiting

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8. You’ve pressed the button at the pedestrian crossing near Hotel Eyre in Whyalla. The symbol turns green, and you cross while sending your friend a text. Could you be breaking the law?

A. Yes

B. No

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9. You’re on a pleasant weekend bike ride to Glenelg. Is it legal to ride your bike across pedestrian crossings on the way?

A. Yes

B. No

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10. Which of the following is the most accurate definition of a wombat crossing?

A. Sub-surface tunnel to improve safety for wombats near the road

B. Pedestrian crossing with a button that activates red lights

C. Crossing that enables pedestrians to cross in every direction

D. Pedestrian crossing with white parallel stripes on a raised section of road

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