The document discusses the traffic accident laws and driver responsibilities in the different states of Australia. Each state has its own legislation requiring drivers involved in accidents to stop and provide assistance to any injured parties, exchange contact and vehicle details, and in some cases report the accident to police. Penalties for failing to comply with these responsibilities include fines and imprisonment, with more severe punishment for offenses involving death or serious injury. The document provides details on the specific requirements and penalties under the laws of each Australian state.

1. UNDERSTANDING TRAFFIC ACCIDENT LAWS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES ACROSS AUSTRALIAN STATES

2. UNDERSTANDING TRAFFIC ACCIDENT LAWS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES ACROSS AUSTRALIAN STATES
• Every state in Australia has its legislation concerning what a driver must do following a traffic accident. These
laws give precedence to the protection of persons involved in accidents, regardless of whether the incident
led to death, injury, or damage to properties.
• This guide covers the specific legal responsibilities of the different states in Australia. At Onroad driving
school, your safety is our top priority.

3. New South Wales
• In NSW, considerable responsibility is placed on drivers, motorists, or riders who cause a non-fatal accident
that results in physical injuries to another person.
• There is a "stop and assist" legal obligation which obliges the driver and the rider to stop and assist in case of
an accident. Such aids could range from dialing an emergency call to offering preliminary aid and
maintenance until appropriate professionals come and assist victims.
• The definition of "impact" includes situations like hitting a person on foot or a bicyclist, running into objects
causing injuries to other road users, etc., as well as multi-vehicle collisions. The definition of these terms
underscores the notion that an appropriate first-aid response should be rendered when one is likely to
sustain a bodily injury as a result of an accident.

4. New South Wales
• There are serious penalties for failing to stop and render aid following an injury-producing collision that is
witnessed. The severity of an injury determines punishment while witnessing the offense means no penalty.
• The monetary fines attached to these cases confirm how seriously the NSW legal system takes matters
whenever individuals do not live up to their duties towards helping after accidents resulting in injuries. The
punishments are normally stiffer for repeat offenders.
• Looking for the best Sydney driving school? Reach out to us at Onroad today!

5. Queensland
• The strict legal regulations of Queensland’s Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act address the
rights and obligations of persons participating in such traffic conflicts as road damages, injuries, and
fatalities. It is important to know about one’s obligations, what the police should prove, possible fines, and
defenses in case of being charged.
• As stated in section 92 of the Transport Operation (Road Use Management) Act Queensland, any vehicle
driver is expected to stop at the scene when any occurrence like an accidental collision leading to injuries,
death, or property loss occurs.
• The prosecutor must show the jury that the person was involved in criminal matters; ran away from the
crime scene and did not help anybody for example.

6. Queensland
• Depending on the seriousness of an accident, penalties for the offenses in Section 92 differ. The highest
possible fine is 20 penalty units with a jail term of up to one year whenever the said death or injury involves
any other person. The highest possible punishment is not more than ten penalty units or six months
imprisonment in case of property damage involving even animals.
• A reliable driving school will always ensure that you’re made aware of such important rules and regulations.

7. Victoria
• Statute 61 of the Road Safety Act 1986 makes leaving the scene of an accident a crime in Victoria. For this
reason, such a law requires drivers to stop at or near the scene of an accident, assist another person, share
their name and address, and report or request police officers' response when appropriate. These cases are
usually handled by expert criminal lawyers.
• Section 61 of the Road Safety Act 1986 provides that where a driver is involved in a collision of any type,
they must stop at the scene, take reasonable steps to assist any person sustaining physical injuries, give way
for the emergency services, and report the incident to the If one disregards these responsibilities, then he
can face the charges of failing to report an accident.
• Our driving lessons also include educating you on the laws for your safety on the roads.

8. South Australia
• In South Australia, there are stringent measures put in place for the protection of those suffering road accident
injuries. These legally required duties have been described in Australian Road Rule regulations. These are
responsibilities, and drivers must obey them or else be subjected to sanctions such as fines and jail terms.
• According to the laws governing driving in South Australia, drivers are expected to stop at the place where an
accident has occurred, disclose their details to others concerned with the incident, notify the police when
necessary, and if possible remove rubbish from the road.
• The penalties for causing a serious injury or death due to an accident are very severe. First-time offenders serve a
minimum of fifteen-year prison term without parole, as well as ten years' revocation of their respective Driver's
License. The subsequent offenses have even bigger punishments, like life in prison and at least ten years of driving
ban.
• The defenses for those charged with failing to comply with accident duties are lack of notice, honest belief,
justifiable excuse, and acting in compliance. These defenses may help in limiting the legal implications if one fails to
observe his obligation following a road accident.

9. Western Australia
• Every accident in Western Australia brings legal obligations among all concerned parties regarding the safety
and welfare of people and properties damaged due to accidents. At the accident scene, drivers are required
to stop and lend a hand, give their particulars, and make the necessary reports depending on the severity of
the impact.
• In Western Australia, drivers must:
• Stop at the Scene: Whenever there is an accident, drivers should stop at the site and render all possible aid
to the injured victims.
• Provide Details: In every case of injury to any person or damage to any property arising from an accident on
a public highway, the drivers concerned shall state their and, in some instances, the owners' names and
addresses.

10. Western Australia
• Report to Police: In some cases, there is a need to report to the police, for example when there are injuries
sustained by anyone involved in the accident, the sum value of damage totals above three thousand dollars,
or when the person who is in charged with the property is away.
• However, failure to adhere to these responsibilities attracts penalties such as fines or imprisonment. In
addition, some particular offenses cover instances where police investigations are brought under their
coverage, particularly in injury or death scenes. It is important for Western Australian drivers who have been
involved in accidents to know their duties and likely punishments.

11. Northern Territory
• Section 174FA of the Criminal Code Act 1983 deems hit-and-run cases in NT to be a criminal offense. A hit-and-run
offense occurs when one is involved in an accident involving death or serious physical injuries of another individual
and fails to stop at the scene and take reasonable steps to offer first aid and inform the proper authorities of the
accident and its place. This offense has severe punishments dependent on the outcomes of the accident.
• The Hit and Run offense is defined by:
• Failure to Stop: Breaking the law happens when such a driver fails to stay till the situation is addressed.
• Failure to Provide Assistance: According to the existing law, the driver must offer aid to the victims.
• Failure to Notify the Police: The driver must inform a police representative of the incident and give location details.
• In the case of deaths, penalties in the NT for this offense are imprisonment of not more than ten years while in the
case of serious injuries-up to seven years imprisonment. This is a serious crime and one should pay attention to this
to avoid such penalties.

12. Tasmania
• Some legislations in Tasmania govern traffic accidents and drivers have a legal obligation to do certain things
after a traffic accident. The obligations contained therein bear a close resemblance to similar obligations in
other Australasian jurisdictions as far as accident cases are concerned, for purposes of safety.
• Drivers involved in accidents in Tasmania must:
• Stop Immediately: Each driver of a vehicle involved in an accident shall immediately stop the respective
vehicle, and while on-site until all is taken care of.
• Assist the Injured: It is also obligatory for the drivers to help any injured person they can.
• Exchange Details: They should provide their contact information to each other. The information required for
identification includes the name, and address of the driver, the name, and address of the owner, the license
plate number, the registration number of the vehicle, and any other detail that will facilitate the
identification of the vehicle(s).

13. Tasmania
• Notify the Police: When required by the police or when not able to give details to all parties involved,
drivers must provide this data to the cops. In addition, drivers should call the police in case they hit a
pedestrian, a bicyclist, or other motorists; they should also notify the police if a car rolls over or leaves its
lane illegally.
• Not complying with these duties attracts serious punishments such as paying huge fines and even a prison
sentence. Individuals accused of traffic accident offenses in Tasmania might need to consult a lawyer to help
them navigate through the legal labyrinth. We offer driving lessons with great attention to detail.

14. Conclusion
• It's important to note that it's imperative to know these responsibilities, as well as possible excuses for those
charged with automobile accident offenses. Legal guidance may be required to pass through this web of
complicated legal issues in a bid to realize the utmost success during trial. Join Onroad driving school for a
safer tomorrow on the roads!

15. Contact
• E Mail: info@onroad.com.au
• Phone No: 1300 667 623
• Website: https://onroad.com.au/