{"id":54121,"date":"2025-11-12T23:31:45","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T04:31:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/fake-new-headlights-rule-steer-australian-drivers-astray\/12\/11\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T23:31:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T04:31:45","slug":"fake-new-headlights-rule-steer-australian-drivers-astray","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/fake-new-headlights-rule-steer-australian-drivers-astray\/12\/11\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Fake new headlights rule steer Australian drivers astray"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Australia has seen a spike in misinformation related to fabricated traffic rules &#8212; the latest includes a purported new national law that requires drivers to keep their headlights on at all times. A review of each state&#8217;s and territory&#8217;s latest traffic regulations reveals there have been no changes to when motorists should turn on their headlights &#8212; at night and in bad weather.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;From November 5, 2025, Australian drivers must have their headlights on at all times while driving to increase visibility and reduce accidents,&#8221; reads a November 3, 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/6LTN-L6V6\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Facebook post;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Facebook post<\/a>, with the Adelaide-based user adding that non-compliance with &#8220;the new law&#8221; carries a fine of A$250 (<span>$164).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The false post echoes many websites announcing\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/BJH5-4NGJ\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:similar claims;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">similar claims<\/a> &#8212; though the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/6Y7L-8L6B\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:exact start date;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">exact start date<\/a> for the supposed new legislation varies, with some saying it would begin on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/5EH6-JDM3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:November 1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">November 1<\/a> while another said\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/W4HU-FRXL\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:November 15;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">November 15<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Screenshots of the false Facebook posts (left) alongside several websites spreading fake news about a new headlight law, with red Xs added by AFP<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Australian media have recently <a href=\"https:\/\/au.news.yahoo.com\/aussie-authorities-shut-down-false-claim-about-new-road-rule-for-drivers-over-60s-055040056.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:reported;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">reported<\/a> on a <a href=\"https:\/\/7news.com.au\/news\/truth-behind-claims-of-australia-wide-laws-cracking-down-on-common-driving-acts-c-20341726\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:proliferation;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">proliferation<\/a> of fake road rules debunked by transport authorities &#8212; including a purported night curfew for drivers over 60 years old, and new fines for drivers eating, drinking or smoking at the wheel (archived\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20251107051151\/https:\/\/au.news.yahoo.com\/aussie-authorities-shut-down-false-claim-about-new-road-rule-for-drivers-over-60s-055040056.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/RYB5-2BG4\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Josh Murray, transport secretary of Australia&#8217;s most populous New South Wales (NSW) state said the fabricated rule &#8212; along with other similar claims circulating online &#8212; is false.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We recommend relying on a trusted source, like the NSW Government website, to get the right advice and correct information,&#8221; he told AFP on November 5.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Georgia Linnell, a media spokesperson for the neighbouring Victoria state&#8217;s transport and planning department, also pointed AFP to rules on the department&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/content.legislation.vic.gov.au\/sites\/default\/files\/2025-10\/17-41sra024-authorised.pdf#page=312\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:website;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><span>website<\/span><\/a><span> stipulating<\/span> drivers in the state must use headlights at night and in &#8220;hazardous conditions with reduced visibility&#8221;\u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/3C64-CZLX\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:archived link;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">archived link<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This is similar to local laws in other parts of Australia, including in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qld.gov.au\/transport\/safety\/rules\/road\/common\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Queensland;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Queensland<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.act.gov.au\/View\/sl\/2017-43\/current\/html\/2017-43.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Australian Capital Territory;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Australian Capital Territory<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.tas.gov.au\/view\/whole\/html\/inforce\/2019-12-01\/sr-2019-061\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Tasmania;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Tasmania<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/legislation.nt.gov.au\/Legislation\/TRAFFIC-REGULATIONS-SCHEDULE-3-ARRs-1999\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Northern Territory;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Northern Territory<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.sa.gov.au\/__legislation\/lz\/c\/r\/australian%20road%20rules\/current\/2014.205.auth.pdf#page=213\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:South Australia;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">South Australia<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.wa.gov.au\/legislation\/prod\/filestore.nsf\/FileURL\/mrdoc_48332.pdf\/$FILE\/Road%20Traffic%20Code%202000%20-%20%5B05-y0-00%5D.pdf#page=267\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Western Australia;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Western Australia<\/a> (archived <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/S9A8-ZGHF\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/8JAJ-6SGK\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/72VA-J9FX\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250609031216\/https:\/\/legislation.nt.gov.au\/Legislation\/TRAFFIC-REGULATIONS-SCHEDULE-3-ARRs-1999\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/J5AJ-ZN8R\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/QXJ8-LPMX\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:here;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">here<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">None of them mentions the lights must be on at all times.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">AFP found that many of the sites spreading the false claim are linked to a WhatsApp channel that appears to promote financial schemes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">These campaigns would be &#8220;a profitable exercise&#8221; by generating traffic to web pages, according to Sabrina Caldwell, a <a href=\"https:\/\/researchportalplus.anu.edu.au\/en\/persons\/sabrina-caldwell\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:researcher;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">researcher<\/a> on disinformation at The Australian National University (<a href=\"https:\/\/perma.cc\/4YVP-LQ7Z\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:archived link;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">archived link<\/a>).<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"&lt;span&gt;Screenshot of a website with the false road rules, with red X and its promoted WhatsApp channel link highlighted in red by AFP (left), alongside a screenshot of the WhatsApp channel (right)&lt;\/span&gt;\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"245\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/YBd1Xei6Gr4b9vk05CfZ3A--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTI0NTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/afp_factcheck_us_713\/4fc11de41b99404534ffd1b63bb9e3c3\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Screenshot of a website with the false road rules, with red X and its promoted WhatsApp channel link highlighted in red by AFP (left), alongside a screenshot of the WhatsApp channel (right)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;And the old rule is still true &#8212; if it looks too good to believe or too weird to believe, then it&#8217;s probably not true,&#8221; she told AFP by phone on November 7.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">AFP has previously fact-checked claims about Australian <a href=\"https:\/\/factcheck.afp.com\/doc.afp.com.34X77E7\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:legislation;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">legislation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/articles\/fake-headlights-rule-steer-australian-033433636.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Australia has seen a spike in misinformation related to fabricated traffic rules &mdash; the latest includes a purported new national law that<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/fake-new-headlights-rule-steer-australian-drivers-astray\/12\/11\/2025\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":54122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/BD8XmL5N2tcVk9CPN.qcpw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyMDA7aD02MDA7Y2Y9d2VicA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/afp_factcheck_us_713\/65af468d6e683afe2b51fba0565ce9a5","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54121"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54121"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54121\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}