A BRAZEN SCAM HAS CAUGHT OUT VARIOUS motoring websites and resulted in them disseminating false information about changes to P-plate laws in Australia. It is yet another example of how easily news organisations can be sucked in by fake news.
The story was that, from August 1, there would be sweeping changes to provisional driver rules. These were reported to affect all P1 and P2 drivers across all states, including stricter enforcement, expanded curfews and changes to passenger limits.
Although such changes wouldn’t apply to most seniordriveraus readers, some of us will be teaching new drivers, so would want to be aware of any new rules.
The report went on to state there will be a nationwide nighttime driving curfew from 11pm to 5am for all P1 drivers unless exempted for work or education, a limit of one peer passenger (aged from 16-21) unless accompanied by a fully licenced adult, and zero tolerance for mobile phone use, even with hands-free devices. Other mooted changes included a mandatory hazard perception test before progressing from P1 to P2, mobile phone use of any kind would incur a penalty of $750 plus four demerit points, driving during curfew would incur a $400 fine and the loss of three demerit points, exceeding the passenger limit would incur a fine of $600 and the loss of three demerit points and that old favourite, not displaying P plates would earn a $300 fine and the loss of two demerit points.
Incredibly, none of this was true.
Suggesting the newly re-elected Albanese government intended to immediately change P-plate rules was wrong, simply because each state and territory in Australia is responsible for its own road rules (and that explains why there is such a mishmash of conflicting rules across the country).
The original material appears to be sourced overseas and AI-generated. Who would benefit from the fake news isn’t clear, nor are the reasons for publishing it.