Australians preparing for Halloween on Thursday have been warned that wearing a costume while driving could land them with a hefty fine.
With the popularity of Halloween in Australia soaring over the past two decades, Sydney lawyer Avinash Sing warned that face coverings such as masks could hinder a driver’s vision or ability to drive their car.
‘If police see a person driving and they believe the costume is affecting their ability to control a vehicle or maintain a clear view while driving, it is not unusual for them to stop the driver and take a impose a fine,” he told Yahoo. News.
The rules and fines for obstructed vision while driving vary from country to country, with New South Wales imposing a hefty fine of $2,200.
“The community should be aware that on special occasions – such as Halloween – the police conduct specific operations,” Mr Singh explained.
‘If they expect more people to be out and about, you are more likely to get a violation or fine.’
For Aussies wanting to avoid a fine, it is advised to take their costume on and off during the event so they are not driving in it, avoid heavy makeup and test their costume beforehand to see if movement is restricted.
Australians celebrating Halloween have been warned that they could face stiff fines if they drive in a costume that restricts their movement or wear a mask or face covering that restricts their vision (photo of a Halloween costume)
Rules and fines vary across the country, but a fine in NSW can set a driver back $2,200 (scream mask stock pictured)
Halloween began as a Celtic tradition in Scotland and Ireland in the 16th century.
The first celebrations involved children dressing up in costumes and going door to door, where they were either given food or, if they were not welcome, threatened to curse the homeowners.
The expression ‘trick or treating’ originated in Canada, but this tradition can lead to legal problems for Australians.
Mr Singh said there had been an increase in the number of incidents of cars and houses being stormed and vandalized, especially by teenagers.
He warned that most teenagers are unaware of the seriousness of this crime and warned them that property damage could result in a maximum prison sentence of five years.