believe it is illegal to drive barefoot while others think you cannot
wear sunglasses because they hide your eyes.
Questions posed to the Queensland Police Service and Transport and
Main Roads' driving examiners highlighted confusion about what is
permitted on the roads.
A senior driving examiner, who did not want to be named, said
sometimes the fault lay with driving instructors who themselves were
unaware of all the rules.
"Applicants often ask if it's OK to drive in bare feet which is
understandable, but it is interesting how many driving instructors
think it's illegal," he said.
"Another common one asked is, 'Is it OK to wear sunglasses as you
can't see my eyes?'."
The QPS addressed the barefoot issue on its Facebook page recently, to
reinforce the message that it is not illegal to drive without shoes,
and acting Superintendent Craig Hanlon said sunglasses were
recommended by police, except at night.
"You've got to be able to drive with a clear view of the road," he
said. "A lot of young kids wear sunglasses at night and that may be an
offence because it impairs their ability to see the road."
He said another misconception was that mobile phones were only off
limits if they were being used to speak to someone.
"You could be using your phone as a Google map and that's still using
a phone," Supt Hanlon said.
"The thing for all drivers to know is don't hold your phone in your
hand when you're driving for any reason."
The driving examiner said other road rules that were either unknown or
misunderstood related to merging, arrowed intersections and
roundabouts.
"Many motorists think they have the right of way when merging on to a
main road," he said.
"There's also a lot of people that can't or don't know how to turn
right and sometimes left at a green traffic light.
"They are waiting for the green arrow when there's not one there."
Even basic road rules, such as the default speed limit in a built-up
area and indicating when entering and exiting a roundabout, were cause
for confusion, he said.
Supt Hanlon said anyone confused or in doubt about the road rules
should contact their local police station or email the QPS via their
website.
"There is a substantial amount of traffic legislation, so there is
always going to be some confusion and misconceptions about the road
rules," he said.
