No – as long as you maintain control of your vehicle. Whether it's a burger from McDonald's or a homemade salad from your spouse, the good news is that it's not expressly illegal to eat while driving in Australia.
Keep in mind that although there aren't any laws against eating while driving, if it prevents you from concentrating and having full control of your vehicle you could be fined. The term for this is 'driver distraction' and is covered broadly in each Australian state.
Victoria Police has made it clear that if eating or drinking non-alcoholic beverages interferes with your driving or causes an accident, you could be charged with careless driving.
Driving without proper control
However, regulation 297 of the Road Rules 2014 (NSW) states that a driver must not drive a vehicle unless the driver has proper control of the vehicle. This means that police may issue a fine if eating or drinking prevents a driver for having proper control of their vehicle.
Is it illegal to eat while driving in Queensland? While it's not illegal to eat while driving in Queensland, the state government is aware of the dangers of distracted driving. The transport department's page on distracted driving lists non-illegal distractions, including changing the radio station.
Queensland Police have told the ABC they have spoken with the driver and confirmed the fine was not issued. However, a senior officer from Road Policing Command has said drivers can be fined for being distracted behind the wheel — including consuming food or drinks.
You can also receive a fine for consuming liquor while driving, and passengers can also be fined for consuming liquor in a vehicle as it is deemed a public place. Road safety is everyone's responsibility and that must start with you. Every decision you make behind the wheel, counts.
While it's illegal to drink alcohol while driving in Australia, no matter whether you're under the limit or not, Australia has no specific laws against eating or drinking non-alcoholic beverages while driving.
While it is not technically illegal to eat or drink while driving, motorists can be fined if doing so leads to the distraction of a driver. “Driver distraction” is a general road rule in every Australian state which means drivers must have “full control of their vehicle at all times” and not be distracted.
Eating while driving
So unless you can down your coffee and donut without actually taking a hand off the steering wheel or your eyes off the road, there is every chance of copping a $575 fine and three demerit points for driving without due care and attention.
Driving with one hand
The NSW road user's hand book says this explicitly, while other states are less clear about the rules. However, one handed driving is illegal under dangerous or inattentive driving laws in every state, and people are regularly fined for it.
Victoria. On a state level, sleeping in your car is legal in Victoria. However, many councils are attempting to introduce by-laws to make it illegal. Local laws prohibiting such conduct already exist in Victorian municipalities such as Hobsons Bay, Greater Geelong, or Manningham.
One in 10 drivers admit that driving while hungry impacts their ability to concentrate behind the wheel and almost 15% admit that feeling thirsty also affects their driving ability. Worryingly, 7% of drivers say that driving while feeling hungry makes them take longer to react to situations on the road.
Drivers everywhere know they can be fined for speeding, but motorists can also be potentially fined for driving too slowly. Driving too far below the speed limit is an offence as it can be considered obstructing the path of other road users.
This is an offence even if you are under the legal limit. Passengers are not prohibited from drinking alcohol in a vehicle. However, it is advised that passengers do not engage in drinking, as drunk passengers could distract a driver.
Throughout Australia, it is an offence to drive or attempt to drive a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. This includes: cyclists. people on skateboards and rollerblades.
Random roadside drug testing
The facts: Roadside drug tests detect the presence of methamphetamine (also known as speed and ice), MDMA (the active ingredient in ecstasy) and THC (the active ingredient in cannabis). In Queensland it's an offence to drive with THC in your system, even if it's prescribed by a doctor.
Australia-wide, the rules are basically the same. You should have both hands on the wheel at all times.
“There's no law in Queensland preventing you from using headphones while driving.
Alcohol-free zones apply to public roads and footpaths, while alcohol-prohibited areas apply to parks and civic spaces. Timed restrictions are also used. Where restrictions are in place alcohol consumption is not permitted in these areas, and police have the power to confiscate alcohol.
Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island…
It's the only beach you can drive on, on this beautiful island. Emu Bay is also one of the rare beaches where a 4×4 is not required to enjoy the experience (as long as you keep your tyres on the hard-packed sand).
Laws that apply anywhere in Australia
Drink driving – you're breaking the law if you drive and your blood alcohol concentration equal to or more than 0.05. If you're on a learners or provisional licence, your BAC must be zero.
Buying and consuming alcohol in a licensed premises
If you're under 18, it's illegal to buy, drink or have alcohol with you in a licensed premise. It's also illegal for a person on a licensed premises (or on a street or place next to the licensed premises) to sell, supply or give you alcohol.
If you're caught drink driving, you will have to go to court. A magistrate will decide the length of your licence disqualification and whether you will be fined or sentenced to a term of imprisonment. The severity of the penalty will depend on your: blood/breath alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the offence.
Drink limit advice
for men: no more than 2 standard drinks in the first hour, and no more than 1 every hour after that. for women: no more than 1 standard drink in the first hour, and no more than 1 every hour after that.