In a busy world today, most people seek to make the most of their time, even when they are driving they first think of multitasking. A very popular question, which is stated, is whether it is lawful to use makeup during a journey in a car. The easy explanation is that even though there is no direct law that prohibits applying makeup when behind the wheel in most Australian states, you can still get into trouble doing so when it impairs your capacity to drive safely.
Makeup While Driving Laws by State
| State | Legal Status | Possible Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | No specific law; negligent driving charges possible | Up to $3300 fine, 18 months jail, license loss |
| Queensland | Not illegal but fined for careless driving | $645 fine, 3 demerit points |
| Victoria | Fines for careless driving | $397 fine, 3 demerit points |
| South Australia | No specific law; distracted driving fines | $221 fine |
| ACT | Driving without proper control | $279 fine |
Australia has laws on makeup and driving that are regulated by the antidiscrimination legislation.
Australian road regulations are usually directed towards ensuring that the driver is in control of the car and he is attentive to the road. When your in-car activities distract or otherwise interfere with your driving, it could be treated as careless or negligent driving, and thus attract fines, demerit points or imprisonment in case of serious offenses. An illustration would be putting on makeup in the red-light traffic vs doing it in the moving traffic because when you are in the former, you are not focusing and when you are in the latter, you are at risk.
Various states treat this in a certain manner. In a case of New South Wales, there are fines up to 3300 dollars or 18 months imprisonment when lives are at risk because of negligent driving. Queensland incurs a fine of $645 and three demerit points of driving without proper care such as having makeup applied. The amount of careless driving fines and three demerit points are about 397 and 397 respectively, respectively. Different states have different fines and definitions but still tend to realize that distracted driving, caused by eating or grooming or makeup, is punishable by law.
There are some dangers of applying makeup on the road.
The fundamental problem with the use of cosmetics in a driving car is distraction. Physical distractions are the ones that keep your hands out of the wheel, visual distractions are those that keep your eyes out of the road, and cognitive distractions are those that divide your attention. Studies indicate that a high percentage of women drivers do multitask by applying makeup on the road yet there is still a big risk. Distraction heightens the risks of accidents, and this is dangerous to the driver, passengers, and other road users.
Other states such as South Australia focus on various classes of distractions such as visual, auditory, physical and cognitive to remind drivers that even thinking about what to apply to the face when driving can be dangerous. Northern Territory in particular recommends drivers to stop to groom instead of trying to do it on the road.
Practical Advice and Safety
Although apprehension may appear to be a good time-saving trick, it is not wise to apply makeup when at the wheel. Rather, prepare time prior to leaving home or even when safe parked. Traffic lights or stop lights Vanity is okay as your car is not moving. Road safety can only be put ahead of vanity since the repercussions of distracted driving may be extreme.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it possible to wear lipstick in the red light?
Yes, since your car is parked, then this is usually okay.
2. So what will happen in case I am caught applying my makeup in the car?
Depending on the state and the level of distraction, you can be fined and be awarded demerit points.
3. Why is applying makeup whilst driving regarded as dangerous?
It distracts you physically, visually and mentally which endangers you of accidents.
Wearing makeup whilst driving is an unsafe habit that may jeopardize people and lead to prosecution. It can only be best practiced to drive after getting ready so that you pay all your attention on the road. Safe driving is a priority that will ensure that everyone on the road is not involved in any avoidable accidents.
