The friendly driving act that most Aussies don’t know is illegal – and it could cost you a $2200 fine

Unsuspecting motorists are being given hefty fines for something many think is an act of kindness, but are unaware is illegal.

Motorists in NSW can be fined up to $2,200 for flashing their headlights, often to warn other drivers of a speed camera or traffic violation.

Lead Attorney Avinash Singh of Sydney law firm Astor Legal said there was ‘a clear increase in the number of offences recorded, particularly where mobile speed cameras or RBTs are installed’.

“A lot of people feel that they can’t be prosecuted if they flash their headlights to alert police because there is no specific rule against it,” Singh told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.

However, in NSW this offence can result in a fine of up to $2,200.

Under rule 218-1 of the NSW Road Rules 2014, it is an offence to drive on a road with high beams on if there is another vehicle driving in the same direction in front of you within 200 metres.

It is also an offence if there is another oncoming vehicle within 200 metres.

Sometimes the police deploy officers around a speed camera or RBT to catch careless drivers

Section 219 also states that a driver in New South Wales must not use lamps fitted to his vehicle so as to dazzle other road users or in a manner likely to cause dazzling.

“Most other states have similar laws,” Singh said.

Normally, the police catch drivers by observing their behavior.

“With RBTs or mobile speed cameras, officers are often positioned a short distance from the RBT or speed camera to watch for drivers attempting to avoid the RBT or flashing their headlights to warn other drivers,” Mr Singh said.

Other states and territories have similar rules to NSW, with the 200 metre distance being the standard distance a person with high beams on must maintain from other vehicles.

In Queensland and the Northern Territory, it is legal to ‘briefly flash your headlights before overtaking another vehicle’.