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Originally Posted by T3rminator
Yikes. Interesting to know what would constitute "flood" water? Does it have to meet a certain depth and coverage across the road?
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I'll have to retract a little, I misread things. I knew they put fines in place after the floods earlier this year but confused the rules of enforcement.
Apparently disobeying a road closed sign is $165 and 3 points.
Driving through floodwater or water across the road may get you a $551 fine for driving without due care and attention. I've seen where the cops have applied those fines.
Disobeying a road closed sign due to flooding starts at $827 with a maximum penalty of $27,500. So disobeying the sign is the start. I imagine if you get caught in the water they hand your *** to you as well.
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However, hundreds of complaints have been lodged with police about people disregarding the road signs and driving into flood waters.
Residents of Waterford West complained about a government official patrolling Tygum Rd and taking down the registration numbers of cars that drove through water to get to the local supermarket.
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From the Transport Minister:
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“If that isn’t enough to deter people, they can be hit with a $551 on-the-spot fine for driving without due care and attention.
“That offence carries a maximum penalty of more than $5500 or six months’ imprisonment or even more if it leads to serious injuries or death.
“Where a road has been closed due to flooding, drivers who disobey road closure signs face an additional $827 fine. The maximum penalty for this offence is more than $27,500.”
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Police said in extreme cases, they could issue fines for “dangerous operation of a vehicle”, which has a maximum penalty of more than $5500 or six months’ imprisonment and more if it led to serious injuries or death.
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I'd have to assume alot of it comes down to police discretion. If they see me drive through 6" of water I might be up for thousands.
And I suppose if a cop sees a car floating at X road at X time on the news and they know there is a sign there, they could sting you for it.