SELF-DRIVING vehicles and traffic legislation don’t match at the moment.

According to new research led by Charles Darwin University (CDU), automated vehicle control is ‘not up to speed’ and road legislation for it has yet to leave the starting line.

The CDU study examined the ‘driver dilemma’ in Australia – or how road traffic laws are specific to human drivers – and how this legislation has limited application to automated vehicles (AVs), which can drive without human input.   

The authors from CDU, Queensland University of Technology and the University of Newcastle found, in Australia, most legislative powers to stop vehicles are subject to a human driver and if they are violating road traffic laws. 

For example, South Australia’s Road Traffic Act specifies a driver as a ‘person’, and an authorised officer is allowed to direct a driver to stop their vehicle, not to move their vehicle, or interfere with it or with its load. 

Legislation in Queensland also defines a driver as a ‘person’, and laws such as stopping at a red light are specific to drivers. 

“The driver dilemma can be strongly identified in these stopping powers, all of which are addressed to the ‘driver’,” lead author and CDU senior lecturer in law Mark Brady said.

“Powers directed to drivers to stop vehicles are problematic when applied to automated vehicles where the automated driving system cannot at law be considered a driver,” Dr Brady said.

The study however found most passenger transport legislation around Australia is vehicle-centric and not dependent on a driver. 

For instance, New South Wales legislation on taxis and hire vehicles specifies authorities are allowed to stop a motor vehicle irrespective of who is driving. 

Dr Brady said given the uptake of driverless vehicles, passenger transport legislation should be used as a template to adapt road traffic laws to include automated vehicles. 

“Passenger transport laws all have explicit objectives about the public interest in safe, efficient, and accessible passenger transport,” Dr Brady said. 

“These vehicle-centric powers exist where there were significant public policy grounds to stop vehicles, irrespective of the driver's conduct.”

At present there is no national AV framework, though the Australian Government as of last year was developing one.   

“There is a suggestion that the familiar ‘rules of the road’ will not be needed in an automated vehicle future. However, in this future roadside enforcement would still need powers to stop vehicles,” Dr Brady said.

“As automation increases, it becomes more problematic who is the driver, in fact and in law, for the purposes of international and national road traffic laws.”

Automated vehicles, the ‘driver dilemma’, stopping powers, and paradigms of regulating road traffic was published in the journal Computer Law and Security Review. 

www.cdu.edu.au

ends

Ben Whitmore, chief marketing officer at East Coast Car Rentals, has seen it all when it comes to vehicle rentals – for both for business and leisure purposes. In this Q&A, he offers a range of insights – laced with a load of common sense – that can help keep your car rental experience on the upside. 

Q: How can understanding rental car insurance options help consumers avoid paying for unnecessary coverage, ensuring they’re only paying for the protection they need while still being fully covered in case of accidents or damages?

A: Taking the time to understand rental car insurance options can save you a significant amount of money and ensure you have the right level of protection. Many vehicle renters are unaware that their existing personal auto insurance or benefits from certain credit cards may already provide coverage for rental cars, such as for collision damage or liability.

At the same time, some coverage offered by credit cards or travel insurance providers requires careful review, as renters often assume they’re fully protected and decline waivers, only to find later that specific types of damage are not included. Being informed helps avoid unnecessary expenses and unexpected gaps in coverage. 

By researching your coverage beforehand, you can make confident decisions about whether you need to buy supplemental protection or if you’re already covered. If gaps in coverage exist, like limited liability or insufficient personal injury protection, it’s worth exploring the rental company’s offerings to ensure you’re safeguarded against expensive repairs or accidents.

Taking this step not only prevents overspending but also gives you peace of mind knowing you’re adequately covered no matter what happens on the road. 

Q: How can preparing for potential disputes, like damage claims or cleaning fees, help renters avoid unexpected costs, protect their wallets, and enjoy a stress-free rental experience?

A: Being prepared for potential disputes, such as damage claims or cleaning fees, can make a huge difference in your rental car experience and help you avoid unpleasant surprises when it’s time to settle the bill.

Before you even drive off, inspect the vehicle thoroughly, looking for dents, scratches, or other imperfections. Use your phone to take photos or videos from multiple angles, making sure to capture any issues clearly.

If you notice anything concerning, report it to the rental agent and ensure it’s documented in the rental agreement. 

When returning the car, give it a quick once-over to confirm it’s in the same condition you received it and hasn’t picked up any damage during your trip. Keeping the car clean and following return guidelines, such as refueling it if required, can also help avoid disputes over extra charges. 

These small, proactive steps take only a few minutes but can protect your wallet and leave you with a smoother, stress-free rental experience. 

Q: How reviewing rental contracts closely allows consumers to spot important details like mileage limits and return policies, helping them avoid hidden fees and penalties that can quickly add up?

A: Carefully reviewing your rental contract before signing can save you from headaches later and ensure your rental experience stays on track with your budget. These agreements often include important details that renters may not immediately notice, such as mileage limits, fuel policies, or return requirements.

For example, some rental companies set mileage caps, and exceeding these limits may result in additional charges. Similarly, if a car is returned without the agreed level of fuel, a refuelling fee may apply. It's important to review these terms to ensure a smooth and cost-effective rental experience. 

Other policies, such as late return penalties or requirements for returning the car to the same location, can also catch renters off guard if not understood upfront.

Taking the time to read and ask questions about the fine print allows you to plan ahead, avoid unnecessary expenses, and confidently stick to your budget. It’s a small investment of time that can turn a great trip into an unexpectedly expensive one.

www.eastcoastcarrentals.com.au

ends

EAST COAST Car Rentals has launched its new ‘Spin to Win’ campaign, offering all customers the chance to win a range of prizes, from Flight Centre vouchers to an MG3 car. 

The holiday season is a busy time for vehicle hire, so with demand at its peak across East Coast Car Rentals 15 branches, the Spin to Win campaign aims to add excitement for customers who book directly. It could turn their vehicle rentals into a potentially memorable experience with instant prizes and the chance to win a grand prize. 

“The goal of the Spin to Win campaign is to add excitement and rewards to the rental experience, while building stronger connections with customers,” East Coast Car Rentals chief marketing officer, Ben Whitmore said. 

“We wanted to offer something fun for Aussies over the coming months as a way to thank renters for choosing East Coast Car Rentals. 

“By booking directly with us, customers are automatically in the running for great prizes, from fuel vouchers for their next trip to the grand prize. There’s over a thousand prizes to be won so we hope we can put a smile on a lot of our customer’s faces this summer.”

The Spin to Win campaign is East Coast Car Rentals’ way of rewarding customer loyalty and enhancing the rental experience into 2025. By turning road trips into exciting opportunities, East Coast is hoping that the campaign will drive awareness and engagement over the busy summer period and establish a greater connection with customers.

Once customers return their vehicle, they will receive an email with an invitation to play the digital game immediately. Additionally, QR codes displayed at the branch counters provide easy access to the promotion details and instructions, making it simple for every customer to get involved. 

Each spin provides the opportunity to win instant prizes, including Visa gift cards, Flight Centre vouchers, fuel cards, car rental vouchers – and for those who don’t win one of these prizes, they will be entered into a second-chance draw for the grand prize choice of an MG3 vehicle or $10,000 in cash.

The campaign runs until February 28, 2025, across all 15 East Coast branches and wraps up with the major prize draw on March 10, 2025, at the Gold Coast branch. 

The draw, featuring the winner’s choice of the MG3 car or $10,000 in cash, will be recorded and shared on social media, with all other prizes being delivered digitally for easy

redemption. 

www.eastcoastcarrentals.com.au

Full list of prizes

• Major prize: One major prize winner will be chosen from all participants across 15 branches on March 10, 2025. The winner has the option to choose between an MG3 vehicle or A$10,000 cash.
• Minor prizes: Includes digital rewards such as Visa gift cards, Flight Centre vouchers, fuel vouchers, and ‘their next rental on us’ (up to $500).

ends

AUSTRALIA’s peak body for novated leasing is urging Australians to act quickly on purchasing a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) before the fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption deadline of April 1 approaches.

Waiting times for some qualifying model vehicles are at risk of pushing them outside the timeframe.

According to the National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association (NALSPA), eligible workers who salary sacrifice are exempt from paying FBT on PHEVs until April 1, 2025, although the exemption will remain for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). 

NALSPA CEO Rohan Martin said some PHEV models and variants through novated leasing were being snapped up quickly.

“If you want to save on the cost of owning and operating a plug-in hybrid, you better get in quick before the FBT exemption expires in April next year,” Mr Martin said.
“Now’s the time to seriously consider and enquire about getting into a PHEV which for many motorists means being able to drive on electricity for the bulk of the time, with the comfort of a petrol engine for those longer trips.

“The FBT exemption offers significant savings for your household by paying no FBT and reducing your taxable income through a novated lease arrangement. This saving could be as much as $20,000 or more for an employee over the term of a typical PHEV lease.

“While there is still plenty of stock available for some PHEV models and variants, demand for others is high and wait times are unfortunately extending to or beyond the April cut off.

“We also think that demand and delivery times are only set to continue to rise in the coming weeks – so the message is don’t wait, speak with your novated lease provider or local car dealer. To qualify for the exemption, our advice is that a financial commitment must be in place and that your PHEV must be available for your use, and therefore delivered to you, before April 1, 2025.
“With the help of the FBT exemption, Australians are loving plug-in hybrids with new sales more than doubling over the past year (up 100.4% to November 2024). PHEVs are a crucial stepping stone toward full electric driving,” he said.

“Compared with pure EVs, PHEVs meet the needs of a growing number of Australians by alleviating range anxiety and are projected to offer a greater range of electrified larger vehicle types like utes and dual cabs in the near future. Most PHEV drivers predominantly use electric power only and recharge at least twice a week.

“NALSPA has strongly advocated for the FBT exemption to remain in place for eligible PHEVs to help lower motoring related costs for everyday Australians during a cost-of-living crisis and get Australia closer to meeting its climate targets,” Mr Martin said.
“The decision to end the FBT exemption for PHEVs couldn’t come at a worse time, especially as a range of hard-to-fully-electrify utes are just entering the market. The FBT exemption is playing a critical role in encouraging more everyday Australians, particularly those in regional areas, to make the switch to an electrified vehicle, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if demand for plug-in hybrid falls after April next year.”

NALSPA’s list of popular PHEVs via novated leasing include:

• Alfa Romeo Tonale
• BYD Sealion 6
• BYD Shark
• Cupra Leon VZe
• Cupra Formentor VZe
• Kia Sorento PHEV
• Mazda CX-60
• MG HS
• Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Volvo XC60

www.nalspa.org.au

ends