Most of us rely on the convenience of public transport to get around, but when something bad happens it could cost a great deal to rectify it.
By having your personal car and bus insured, you are making sure that you don’t have to suffer when you lose your vehicle, but it is important to know what your coverage will be able to provide.
If you haven’t done so already, make sure to arrange cover for your vehicle before you go away for any length of time.
While there is generally a short grace period for the first-time owner of a vehicle to get insurance cover before they are registered, it is best to cover your vehicle in the long term so that you are not penalized financially if something bad happens.
What Is The Law?
If you have been the victim of an accident in an area where the roads have been designated as car-only lanes, you will not be allowed to drive in the lane.
You will be placed in a carpool lane until you are allowed to drive out of the car-only lane.
The car-only lane is a designated location for private motor vehicles to travel in. It is one of the many ways in which an accident can be avoided.
The car-only lane operates under the strict legislation known as the Road Traffic Act 1991.
This act makes it illegal to drive in the car-only lane unless it is an emergency. You can usually only be in this lane if you are the victim of a road traffic accident.
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When you are placed in the car-only lane, you should remain there until you have been checked and allowed to continue your journey.
Do not assume that you are still in the car-only lane because you continue to travel slowly in it, because it will not be long until your vehicle comes to a complete stop.
When you get to a breakdown lane, or when you cannot drive any further in your car-only lane, you should pull over. An attendant will then come to you and ask if you are the driver and also if you have any problems.
If you are not able to answer any of their questions, you will then be taken to the hospital for a medical assessment.
If you are the driver and cannot answer these questions, the attendant will ask you to identify yourself. You can be asked a minimum of six questions to verify your identity.
A medical examination will then be undertaken to check that you are still fit to drive.
The Road Traffic Act 1991 also states that you must not drive a vehicle that has been in an accident in the car-only lane. Thi sincludes moving the vehicle and checking that you are the driver.
If the vehicle is not moving and it is not your car, the operator of the vehicle must have your car checked and registered before they can be allowed to drive away.
How Is It Enforced?
Under Section 15(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1991, you can be fined up to $2,250 for every offense and sentenced to jail. This will result in the loss of your license if you are deemed to be the person in charge of the vehicle.
The police can also seize your vehicle and take the decision whether or not to return it to you. If they do decide to return the vehicle, you will receive a notice to this effect.
At the time that you are charged with an offense, a fine will be issued to you. A fine can be applied to your driving license, which can be suspended and later withdrawn.
In some cases, if you have not paid the fine in time, your license may also be revoked.
If the driver who is in the car-only lane fails to get out of the lane, then the attendant can pull them from the car. It is illegal for the attendant to continue driving on the motorway and any attempt to do so could be classed as reckless driving.
Risk Of Having Your Driving License Suspended
Your license will be suspended for the next 12 months for failing to follow orders and directives. There is no time limit when your license is suspended and it will remain on your record for life.
If you fail to pay the fine you will also be given a court date and be liable to pay a fine for the offense of failing to pay the fine.
Failure To Report a Vehicle Accident
It is an offense under Section 8(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1991 to fail to report a vehicle accident to police within five minutes. There is no maximum penalty but it can result in a fine of up to $14,000.
Under Section 14 of the Road Traffic Act 1991, any person who is involved in an accident will be required to give their name, address and vehicle number to police.
If you do not tell police the full details of the incident, you can be arrested for attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
Your license can be suspended for up to two years and you can be given a community service order for up to 12 months.
What to Do If You Have an Unpaid Fine
Get in touch with our team of Road Accident Lawyers to discuss your case and we will be on hand to help you get your license reinstated or get your license reinstated with a fine discharge.
If you have been involved in an accident and are charged with an offense relating to it, or if you are found guilty of an offense relating to it, then the best thing you can do is to hire a road traffic lawyer. Contact us today for a free and confidential discussion about your case.