Thinking of getting your R Plates Australia? If so, this article is for you. In 2023, 1,266 people died on the Australian roads. That’s a 7.3% increase from the previous year. In NSW road deaths increased by almost a quarter, from 286 to 354. The Guardian calls it the “deadliest year on Australia’s roads in more than half a decade.”
If you or someone you know is still feeling the effects of these accidents and is thinking of getting back behind the wheel, R plates Australia will be like a “safety tag” so other road users will be more aware of you when you’re driving.
R plates Australia is to let other drivers know that the person driving might need a bit more patience and understanding as they recover from the psychological or physical effects of a road incident. Having these feelings recognised can help people to drive with more caution.
In this article, you will learn all about R Plates Australia and how to get one for you.
R Plates Australia
R plates (Return Plates) Australia is a product of Australian service and repair company “MyCar Tyre & Auto”. The company is not a government-issued car plate. You can order from their website or download and print it in printable format. To order your R plate from their website click ‘Order R Plates,’ fill in the details, and submit the form.
In short, an R plate is a car sticker that you can put on the left or right rear window and just make sure it’s visible to other road users. This plate can help identify drivers returning to the road. Additonally, the company calls this a “People First Initiative.”
This means R plates were created to let other road users know that the person driving a car with an R plate is a recovering driver. That means the driver is still recovering from the aftereffects of traumatic road or car accidents that have affected their mental health.
Also according to the manufacturer, an R plate may help senior drivers, victims of traffic accidents, and those getting back behind the wheel after a long break from driving.
Who Can Use R Plates Australia?
R plates Australia are for recovering drivers from injuries or accidents. Road trauma includes physical and psychological experiences following a road crash. Here are some examples:
- Drivers recovering from physical injuries such as minor cuts and bruises to severe injuries like broken bones, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries. The severity of the trauma can greatly impact a person’s ability to drive again.
- Drivers with psychological distress caused by road crashes can be very stressed, leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. This can manifest in fear of driving, flashbacks, and hypervigilance on the road.
- Drivers who lost loved ones due to road accidents leave family members grappling with grief and emotional trauma. This can make the thought of getting back on the road where the accident occurred very difficult.
Note that R plates are just a voluntary tag for your vehicle; it’s not a government-issued plate. Ultimately the decision to use R plates is up to you. If a driver feels they may benefit from the extra courtesy R plates may get from other drivers they can choose to display them.
Limitations of R Plates Australia
R plates, being not a government-sanctioned sticker, have no legal standing. So you can’t use it as a reason to file a traffic complaint against someone who doesn’t breach any other legitimate traffic rule in New South Wales.
Also, not all road users may not be aware of this because this is a new product from MyCar released only in 2022. Although R plates have no legal standing, there are general traffic laws that apply to all drivers in Australia. So even with R plates displayed, drivers are still subject to the same rules as everyone else on the road.
So, remember even if you are a driver who displays R plates you still have to follow traffic rules. Also, you will still be liable for reckless driving because R plate does not give you a free pass to drive recklessly. So your negligence on the road can still be a liability.
Traffic Violations of R Plate Users
R plates are meant to encourage courtesy not replace responsible driving. So, as mentioned earlier R plate users are still subject to traffic rules and regulations in NSW. Here are some common examples:
- Speeding. Exceeding the posted speed limit is a common traffic violation and R plates won’t excuse a driver caught speeding.
- Disregarding Traffic Signals. Running red lights, failing to stop at stop signs or making illegal turns can all result in fines for drivers with or without R plates.
- Distracted Driving. Using mobile phones, eating, or engaging in any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road is illegal and applies to everyone.
- Drink Driving. Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is a serious offence with severe penalties and R plates offer no protection.
- Dangerous Driving. Any behaviour that puts yourself or others at risk like reckless driving, tailgating, or unsafe lane changes can result in penalties regardless of R plates.
Other issues may also arise from using R plates. For one, drivers who don’t need R plates may misuse them. Also, R plates may give a sense of security to recovering drivers and may make them underestimate the need to be cautious on the road.
The ‘R’ plate includes a QR code that links to support services for people recovering from a traumatic road accident. These services include Beyond Blue, Amber Community, and Road Trauma Support WA.
Contact a Traffic Lawyer Today
Traffic violations in NSW, Australia can result to heavy fines and penalties including imprisonment. Moreover, the physical and mental toll road trauma gives can be costly. If you’ve been in an accident recently contact one of our traffic lawyers from JB Solicitors.
We offer:
- Legal advice for serious charges like license suspension, heavy fines or imprisonment.
- Comprehensive explanation of Australian traffic laws and the implication of traffic violations.
- Offence penalty negotiation to reduce fines (especially an on the spot fine), points on your license, or charges.
Contact us today or fill up a query form here.
