Australians preparing for Halloween on Thursday have been warned that wearing a costume while driving could land them with a hefty fine.
With the growing popularity of Halloween in Australia over the past twenty years, Sydney lawyer Avinash Sing warned that face coverings, like masks, can interfere with a driver’s vision or their ability to control their car.
“If police see a person driving and believe that the costume impairs their ability to properly exercise control of a vehicle or maintain adequate vision while driving, then it is not unusual for them to stop the driver and issue a fine,” he told Yahoo. News.
Rules and fines for obstructed vision while driving vary across the country, with New South Wales imposing a hefty fine of $2,200.
“The community needs to be aware that the police carry out specific operations on special occasions such as Halloween,” Mr Singh explained.
“When they expect a greater number of people to be on the street, the risk of being charged with a crime or fined increases.”
For Australians who want to avoid a fine, it is recommended that you put on and take off your costume at the event so you don’t drive around in it, avoid too much makeup, and try on your costume to find out if movement is restricted in advance.
Australians celebrating Halloween have been warned they will face heavy fines if they drive in a costume that restricts their movement or wear a mask or face covering that restricts their vision (pictured, file photo of a Halloween costume)
Rules and fines differ across the country, but a fine in New South Wales could cost a driver $2200 (pictured, a scream mask)
Halloween began as a Celtic tradition in Scotland and Ireland in the 16th century.
Early celebrations included children dressing up and going door to door, where they were given food or, if not welcomed, threatened to curse the owners.
The phrase “trick or treat” originated in Canada, but this tradition can cause legal problems for Australians.
Singh said there had been an increase in incidents of egg attacks and acts of vandalism against cars and houses, mostly by teenagers.
He warned that most adolescents are unaware of the seriousness of this crime and warned them that damage to property can lead to a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
