Road Rules

As the car industry applies the brakes on development of autonomous cars – and backtracks on promises over their ability and when they might become a reality – a report out of the US has caused more pause for thought. A detailed analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the US has determined autonomous cars may only be able to prevent one-third of crashes.

MORE: All COVID-19 coverage here The free ride – or free car parking – is about to come to an end across Australia. Councils across the country are getting ready to chalk tyres and issue parking tickets as coronavirus lockdown restrictions are gradually eased. As previously reported by CarAdvice, many suburbs across Australia enjoyed free parking as councils took the bombers off the beat to help communities handle working from home orders and social distancing measures.

Empty roads in Europe, the USA and Australia have seen a rise in the number of drivers caught travelling at excessively high speeds, according to police and highway patrol units. State police across Australia have reported recording speeds as high as 192km/h as motorists take advantage of reduced traffic amid coronavirus restrictions, while traffic authorities in the US and Europe say average speeds have more than doubled in some areas.

Queensland Police have handed out fines totalling $218,000 to 218 people over six days after tougher new penalties for driver mobile phone use were implemented in the state this week. As of February 1, 2020, motorists in Queensland now face standard $1000 fines and four demerit points if they're found to be illegally using their phones while behind the wheel.

Watch out West Australians, the chances of getting pinged at one of the state’s 1800 speed camera locations just increased exponentially. From the start of 2020, the West Australian Government will scrap the regular updates it provides to the public on exactly where the police have installed mobile speed cameras on any given day. It was a helpful service, allowing alert motorists to navigate the state’s road network without fear of getting busted by a camera.