When is it Illegal to Use A Vehicle’s Horn?
Regulation 224 of the Road Rules 2014 (NSW) states that a driver must not use, or allow to be used, a horn, or similar warning device, fitted to or in the driver’s vehicle unless: it is necessary to use the horn,...
Sydney Criminal Lawyers® Weekly Rundown – Articles from 27 May to 2 June 2019
In case you’ve missed any of them, here’s a rundown of the past week’s articles: Torres Strait Takes Australia to UN Over Climate Inaction: An Interview With 350’s Glen Klatovsky Torres Strait Islander communities affected by rising sea levels have...
Passive Smoking Defence Exposes Flawed Drug Driving Regime
Magistrate David Heilpern has delivered yet another landmark ruling that reveals the shonky logic underlying the drug driving regime in NSW. The Lismore magistrate accepted last month that a woman tested positive to cannabis because of passive smoking. Nicole Spackman...
Drug Driving Charges and the Defence of Honest and Reasonable Mistake
A recent decision by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal has ruled that drug driving is an absolute liability offence, which means the defence of being honestly and reasonably mistaken about drugs being in the system does not apply to...
Sydney Criminal Lawyers® Weekly Rundown – Articles from 13 to 19 May 2019
In case you’ve missed any of them, here’s a rundown of the past week’s articles: A PM’s Faith Shouldn’t Be Steering a Secular Nation Scott Morrison’s religious views have shaped a number of his discriminatory, divisive and dangerous policies. Click...
New Drink Driving and Drug Driving Laws in NSW
On 25th September 2018, the New South Wales parliament passed the Road Transport Legislation Amendment (Penalties and Other Sanctions) Bill which comes into effect across the state on Monday, 20 May 2019. The legislation amends the Road Transport Act 2013...
Government Tightens Screws on Unjust Drug Driving Regime
As of next Monday, 20 May, first time alleged low-range drink drivers and drivers in respect of whom the presence of drugs is confirmed by a laboratory analysis will be fined $561 and have their licences suspended for three months....
Driver Accumulates 28 Demerit Points in Road Blitz
A driver on the New South Wales Central Coast has accumulated 28 demerit points and fined $1348 after being pulled over by Police for using her phone while driving. A mother, she had all three children in the car’s back...
The Offence of Jaywalking in New South Wales
Ever wondered when and where you are permitted to cross a public road in New South Wales? Or what might happen if you cross the road unlawfully? Well here’s an summary of the main rules: You can only start crossing...
Double Demerits Over the Easter Long Weekend
Double-demerit points are in in force for an extended period this Easter, to include the Anzac Day holiday. Double-demerits start today and run until April 22, then start again on April 24, and run through until April 28. The double...
