The use of vehicle mirrors remains an important discussion in the Australian driving community. Surprisingly there remains some people, some of whom may be professional drivers, who are unaware that the law in Australia stipulates that it is an offence to operate a motor vehicle without mirrors, and a motor vehicle without rear and side mirrors is fined $233. The rationale is that road safety regulations are designed to make certain that drivers have a full unobstructed view while driving of all areas around them, especially areas that are potential collision zones. Mirrors are critical to fulfilling the rule of maintaining full visibility.
Reduction of Collisions and Accidents
The side and rear mirrors on a motor vehicle are often perceived to be mere designs. Rather, they are equally important safety features of the vehicle. They are an integral part of driving as they allow the driver to view the road on the left and right side of the motoring vehicle, ascertain vehicle positions in blind spots, and move to another lane or a traffic congested road. The absence of such mirrors pose greater chances of accidents, especially on freeways and in city traffic zones.
Legislative Course of Action
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Mirror Requirement | Every motor vehicle must have a rear view mirror and side mirrors. |
| Purpose of Side Mirrors | Must allow the driver clear visibility of the road behind. |
| Offense | Absence, missing, broken, or obstructed side or rearview mirrors. |
| Penalty | Immediate on-the-spot fine of $233. |
| Enforcement | Officers can assess vehicles for missing, broken, or obstructed mirrors on the spot. |
Reasons and Enforcement of the Fines
The fine of $233 is in accord to other road safety fines. It is part of an overall strategy determined to eliminate the practice of reckless driving. In instances of multiple offenses, or when the improper operation of an automobile is evident, additional penalties may include repairing the vehicle for uncovered infringement of the law or for appearing to be defective. These may also be accompanied by the monetary penalties, and by the other law enforcement agencies.
Evident Lapses
While legally defensible, the removal or the folding of the mirrors for the duration of the vehicle being parked is much more common, driving with such mirrors is not. Accounts of abusive driving have also flagged the use of mirrors disguised behind painted or other tinted substances for the purpose of obscuring the area behind them. These same rules of the road apply to motorcyclists, who also are required to have mirrors in good working order when riding.
The Intent Behind the Enforcement
Motor vehicle accidents in which the vehicles side swipe or there is a rear collision, breaching the legal speeds, and driving in a congested thoroughfare all have inadequate visibility as a common element identified, as found by experts on road safety. In the more densely populated cities of Australia, traffic is a problem, and like the rest of the world, the a,b,s of driving are important, including the use of mirrors. And so the fine is set to an excessive amount, however not as the punishment, but so that the drivers can appreciate their roles behind the wheel.
Other Considerations
Motorists are encouraged to examine their mirrors during routine checks as part of an overall vehicle maintenance program. You may incur heavy fines and, more importantly, cause accidents, if the side and rear view mirrors are not correctly aligned and undamaged. Regulatory bodies have emphasized that devices such as mirrors, which are considered safety equipment, should never be neglected since they are crucial for driving safety around Australia.
