Aussie Drivers Duped by Bogus ‘Fake AI’ Road Rule: “Completely Made-Up” Law Sparks Nationwide Confusion and Fury
- A bogus “law” claiming Aussies could be fined for having headlights on during the day has gone viral online
- Experts rush to shut down the fabricated rule, warning of increasing fake news spreading through AI
- The false claim has sparked anger, confusion, and furious debate across social media platforms
Australians have been left reeling after a fabricated road rule claiming drivers could be fined for having their headlights on during the day spread like wildfire online. The false claim, which has been slammed as “completely made-up”, has sparked nationwide confusion, anger, and furious debate across social media platforms.
Principal Criminal Lawyer at Astor Legal, Avinash Singh, has warned that the viral claim is a “blatant fabrication” and has no basis in reality. “In respect of the article claiming new Road Rules came into effect in November, requiring all drivers to have their headlights on at all times, this is a blatant fabrication,” Mr Singh said.
The lawyer cautioned that the spread of misinformation through AI has become increasingly common, causing real jadxorld confusion. “As criminal defence lawyers, we have seen a significant increase in the spread of misinformation through AI in the last 12 months. There have been a number of recent cases where self-represented litigants have referred to entirely fictitious cases due to their reliance on AI,” Singh said.
According to the NSW Road Rules (2014), there is no requirement for drivers to keep their headlights on during the day. However, drivers can be penalised for misusing their high-beams, which have been known to dazzle other drivers.
This isn’t the first time dodgy AI content has gone viral. Just last month, articles claimed that Aussie drivers could now be fined up to $1500 for eating or drinking while driving. The NSW government was quick to squash the rumours, clarifying that while there is no specific rule against eating or smoking whilst driving, drivers must have proper control of the vehicle.
Authorities have also debunked reports claiming that drivers over 60 would be subject to a strict night-time driving ban. AI-generated articles were claiming that “motorists aged 60 and above will face night driving restrictions” between 10pm and 5am. Transport Victoria responded online to clarify the rumour, stating that there is no such restriction.
As the rise of AI-generated fake news continues to spread, experts are urging Australians to be vigilant about the sources they rely on for legal matters. “Given how easy it is for misinformation to be propagated in today’s climate, there is a greater need to be vigilant about what sources people are relying on for legal matters. If people are unsure of any Road Rules, they can look at the legislation to see whether a law actually exists,” Singh said.