RAA has issued a public advisory to South Australian motorists and the insurance sector following a noticeable uptick in online misinformation relating to road regulations. RAA’s Road Safety team has recently handled an increased volume of queries from members who have encountered questionable claims about supposed changes to state driving laws.
Among the false reports circulating are claims of night-time driving bans for motorists over 60, the introduction of special plates for senior drivers, and new prohibitions on eating while operating a vehicle. RAA has also received numerous questions about whether using headlights at all times is now compulsory.
Charles Mountain, senior manager of safety and infrastructure at RAA, urged the public to verify any road rule updates through official channels. “We’ve had many members contact us about these rule changes that they’ve heard of, spreading online and by word of mouth. These stories sound convincing, but they’re not accurate – there are no imminent changes expected to South Australia’s road rules,” Mountain said.
In September, an artificial intelligence-generated article falsely claimed that new restrictions would soon be imposed on drivers aged over 60, including a curfew between 10pm and 5am. The fabricated story, which spread on social media, led to a notable increase in member inquiries.
South Australian regulations require older licence holders to complete a self-assessment of medical fitness when renewing a car licence, and in some cases, a formal medical assessment if health concerns arise or for non-standard licences.
Mountain emphasised that any genuine changes to road regulations are formally announced by the state government and published on official channels such as the mylicence website. “It’s understandable that these stories raise alarm, particularly as they are not based on proposed changes to the regulations affecting older drivers,” he said.
According to Mountain, misleading posts often use urgent language and feature images of authorities to appear legitimate. He advised that the absence of commentary from recognised sources – such as the state government, SA Police, or the Department for Infrastructure and Transport –should prompt scepticism. Another indicator of unreliable information is the presence of excessive advertising or prompts to click on links. “These false road rules are often aimed at older drivers, who can be more vulnerable to misinformation online,” Mountain said.
Mountain clarified that while eating behind the wheel is not specifically outlawed, drivers can still face penalties if it leads to a lack of control. “RAA also strongly encourages drivers to turn on their headlights when driving on regional roads in all conditions, even though this specifically is not a legal requirement,” he said.
Although the road rules highlighted by RAA are not genuine, research from Compare the Market indicates that many Australian drivers engage in behaviours that could impact road safety and insurance outcomes. The survey revealed that over half of respondents have eaten or drunk non-alcoholic beverages while driving, and significant proportions admitted to speeding, driving while tired, or using their phones behind the wheel.
Adrian Taylor, executive general manager at Compare the Market, commented on the insurance implications: “When it comes to car insurance, there’s a difference between ‘being at fault’ for an honest accident and engaging in illegal or reckless behaviour, such as texting while driving.”
RAA is encouraging all drivers to consult official sources for updates on road rules and to report any misleading content they encounter. “Even long-term drivers can benefit from keeping their knowledge up to date, and RAA encourages everyone to check official channels rather than relying on viral posts or AI-generated content,” Mountain said. Insurance professionals are advised to direct clients to government resources for the most accurate information on driving regulations.
