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Recent social media claims that eating and drinking while driving has been outlawed across Australia have been proven false by fact-checkers and transportation authorities.
Viral posts circulating online have falsely claimed that from October 10, 2025, “new Australia-wide regulations have now classified eating and drinking (including sipping water or coffee) while driving as a punishable offense.” These posts misleadingly suggest that drivers could face fines up to $1,500, demerit points, and potential license suspension for consuming food or beverages while operating a vehicle.
The National Transport Commission, which works to standardize road laws nationally, has categorically denied these claims. Helen Venn, a representative from the organization, told AAP FactCheck: “No changes like those described in the posts have been made or are planned to be made, so this is false.”
The misinformation appears to stem from engagement-bait websites and possibly incorrect AI-generated responses in popular search engines. Some posts reference supposed news articles detailing these offenses, but none provide evidence of any upcoming law changes.
A key inaccuracy in these claims is the suggestion that road laws are established at the federal level. In Australia’s legal framework, traffic regulations are legislated by individual states and territories, not by the national government. No state or territory has announced such sweeping changes to driving laws.
While no specific prohibition exists against eating or drinking while driving in Australia, drivers should be aware that existing distracted driving laws could still apply in certain circumstances. For instance, in New South Wales, Road Rule 297(1) requires that “a driver must not drive a vehicle unless the driver has proper control of the vehicle.”
The NRMA, a prominent Australian motoring organization, explains that if consuming food or beverages interferes with a driver’s ability to control their vehicle, they could potentially be charged under these broader provisions. “In extreme cases, drivers can also be charged with negligent driving if snacking distracts them and results in a crash. If it goes to court, the fine could balloon to a maximum of $2,200,” according to NRMA guidance.
This isn’t the first time such misinformation has circulated. Multiple reputable news outlets including News.com.au, 7News, Drive, and Yahoo News have recently published articles debunking similar claims, with state transport authorities confirming no such regulations exist or are planned.
The persistence of these false claims highlights the ongoing challenge of misinformation on social media platforms. Engagement-bait tactics often use alarming claims about new laws or regulations to generate clicks and shares, regardless of accuracy.
Motorists concerned about staying compliant with road rules should refer to official sources such as state and territory transport departments for accurate information rather than relying on unverified social media posts.
AAP FactCheck, an accredited member of the International Fact-Checking Network, continues to monitor and verify claims related to Australian regulations and policies across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
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22 Comments
It’s refreshing to see authorities quickly address and refute these types of viral social media claims. Fact-checking and transparent communication help maintain public trust in the legal system.
Absolutely. Proactively dispelling misinformation is crucial, especially when it could potentially lead to confusion or undue stress for drivers.
As someone who enjoys a snack or beverage during my commute, I’m relieved to hear that the proposed law change is not actually happening. While safety should be a priority, it’s understandable that people would want to maintain some flexibility in their driving habits.
I agree. Outright banning common activities like eating and drinking while driving could be seen as an overly restrictive measure, despite the safety concerns.
It’s good to see the National Transport Commission quickly addressing and debunking these false claims. Maintaining trust in official sources is crucial, especially when it comes to important issues like road safety.
Absolutely. Prompt action to correct misinformation helps prevent unnecessary confusion and concern among the public.
While I understand the desire to improve road safety, outlawing eating and drinking while driving seems like an overreach. I’m glad the authorities have confirmed these viral claims are false. Reasonable people can disagree on the right policies.
You make a fair point. Finding the right balance between safety and personal freedom is always a challenge when it comes to traffic regulations.
As someone who often drinks coffee on my commute, I’m relieved to hear that this proposed law change is not actually happening. Eating and drinking while driving may not be the safest practice, but it’s understandable that people would want to maintain that flexibility.
I agree. While it’s important to promote safe driving, outright banning common activities like sipping coffee could be seen as an overly restrictive measure.
I’m glad the National Transport Commission was able to clarify that no such law changes are planned. It’s important to have accurate information, especially when it comes to traffic regulations that impact people’s daily lives.
Agreed. Maintaining clear and consistent communication from authoritative sources is key to preventing the spread of false claims.
It’s great to see the National Transport Commission quickly addressing and debunking these false claims. Maintaining public trust in official sources is crucial, especially when it comes to important issues like road safety.
Absolutely. Prompt action to correct misinformation helps prevent unnecessary confusion and concern among the public.
Ah, good to hear that eating and drinking while driving remains legal in Australia. Some social media posts can really stir up unnecessary confusion. It’s helpful to have authorities clarify the facts.
Yes, I’m glad the National Transport Commission was able to debunk those claims. Misinformation can spread so quickly online these days.
While I understand the desire to improve road safety, banning eating and drinking while driving seems like an impractical and heavy-handed approach. I’m glad to see the authorities have confirmed these viral claims are false.
You make a fair point. Finding the right balance between safety and personal freedom is always a challenge when it comes to traffic regulations.
I appreciate the fact-checking and transparency from the authorities on this issue. It’s important to have accurate information, especially when it comes to laws and regulations that impact people’s daily lives. Kudos to the National Transport Commission for setting the record straight.
Agreed. Quickly addressing and debunking misinformation helps maintain public trust in the legal system and promotes informed decision-making.
I appreciate the fact-checking on this issue. It’s important to have accurate information, especially when it comes to traffic laws that impact people’s daily routines. Glad to see the authorities setting the record straight.
Agreed. Fact-checking is crucial to combat the spread of false claims, especially ones that could potentially lead to fines or other legal issues for drivers.