NRMA Motoring Blog

After more than six months of a cashless Harbour crossing, we want to know what you think of toll roads becoming cashless and having to use e-tags.

In January this year, we reported the news that the Sydney Harbour Bridge was going cashless. As of mid-January, an e-tag or similar is needed to use either the Harbour Bridge or the Harbour Tunnel.

They are not the only motorways in Sydney that are cashless. According to the RTA-run website, Sydney Motorways, cash can still be used on the Eastern Distributor, M4, M5 and M2 – less than half of Sydney’s Motorways. With the RTA’s plans to eventually make all motorways cashless, the number of roads you can use cash on will continue to shrink.

It is clear that to drive in Sydney motorists must have an e-tag – or carefully choose their routes if they don’t. This also presents a challenge for visitors to Sydney or people who do not regularly use cashless toll roads.

Is the e-tag a help or a hindrance? Does making roads cashless speed things up and ease congestion?

For anybody who does not have an e-tag but wants to make the journey south across the Harbour Bridge, you will need to arrange a temporary pass within 48 hours of your trip by visiting myE-Toll or by phoning the RTA on 131 865.

Have you ever been offered a ‘protection package’ – paint protection, rust proofing and fabric protection – when buying a new car?

New car paint protection, rust proofing and fabric protection is often offered after you have signed the contract. It can cost up to $2000 but there is no evidence to support claims that you need it.

A manufacturer’s service contract doesn’t state it needs to be done as modern cars are subjected to highly sophisticated paint and perforation treatments before they leave the factory. These treatments are the reason manufacturers are able to offer warranties of up to ten years on the car body.

Plus there’s no evidence suggesting products in a ‘protection package’ have been subjected to Australian Standards testing. Australians Standards indicate products or services “provide a value or benefit that exceeds the costs likely to be imposed from its development and implementation.” It should be your measure of something being worth your money or not – so how are you to judge when they haven’t been tested?

If you plan on never washing or polishing your car then a paint protection package may be better than nothing. But if the salesman mentions it as an aside at the end of the formalities, don’t feel pressured. Remember:  You just paid tens of thousands for a new car with a long warranty so be assured it’s in the manufacturers best interests that it doesn’t rust or the paint fade. Just take care of your car once it’s been delivered.

Have you bought or been tempted to buy a ‘protection package’ with your new car? Was it worth the money or do you feel you were conned?

As the number of cars with GPS systems increase, NRMA’s Motoring Advice team have received many enquiries from drivers uncertain about the legality of fixing them to their windscreens and using them while driving.

There is no specific provision under the Road Rules which prohibits the affixing of GPS units to a vehicle.

Road Rule 297 (2) states: “A driver must not drive a motor vehicle unless the driver has a clear view of the road, and traffic, ahead, behind and to the side of the driver.”

This rule makes no reference to the type or description of the object that may constitute a breach of the rule. In other words, this is a general rule where a driver may be held to be in breach of it, if the evidence establishes the placement of an object deprives the driver of a motor vehicle from having a clear view of the road and traffic.

There is also a rule, which in certain circumstances permits a driver to drive a motor vehicle with a visual display unit if it is, or is part of, a driver’s aid. A ‘driver’s aid’ is navigational or intelligent highway and vehicle system equipment, which could be a GPS. The rule does not state where on the vehicle it is to be fitted.

Therefore, should a driver’s aid, such as a GPS unit fitted on the vehicle, deprive the driver of a clear view of the road and traffic ahead, behind and to each side of the vehicle, the driver may be fined or prosecuted for breaching this rule.

Have you found your GPS restricts your vision when driving? Are they safe to operate while driving or should there be stricter laws governing their use?