Road rules don’t only cover the roads we drive on – they also cover road related areas that are open to or used by the public for driving, riding or parking and this includes shopping centres.

Consequently these road related areas are covered by parking, speed limit, overtaking and signage rules.

It also means you can be penalised for breaking them. For example, driving over the speed limit could result in being fined and losing demerit points. So, if you are doing 40km/h in a 20km/h zone, you will be eligible for a $197 fine and the loss of 3 demerit points.

You will also be penalised accordingly for not giving way where appropriate, for double-parking and for driving against the direction indicated on a one-way sign.

Shopping centres can enforce parking infringements, however all other rules must be enforced by the police.

View Rule 13 from Road Rules 2008 for more information.

What do you think of driver behaviour in shopping centre car parks? Should there be stronger enforcement of the road rules in ‘road related areas’ like car parks?