Man cops whopping fine for common act behind the wheel

A driver has been slapped with a hefty fine for honking his car’s horn – an act many don’t realise is illegal when done incorrectly.

Jamie Winner was fined $253 after tooting outside a friend’s business in Port Adelaide, South Australia, taking to Instagram last week to label the penalty “a little sketchy”.

He cited the penalty notice in his caption which said he used his horn when he was not “permitted to do so”.

“I'm no lawyer but that wording is a little sketchy, basically it means they can fine you whenever they need cash for weekend beers good work,” he wrote.

Current regulations in South Australia state that a car’s horn can only be used to warn other road users or animals of their approach or position of the vehicle, or as part of an anti-theft or alcohol interlock device.

Other Australian states have similar rules, which mean drivers are not allowed to toot when waving goodbye, call out to people or get someone’s attention.

In Victoria the offence carries a fine of $161, in NSW it’s $344, Tasmania $126, and in Queensland police can hand over a $66 fine, but increase it based on the severity of the crime.

The same laws are observed in Western Australia, where drivers can be fined $50, and in Tasmania, where they can be hit with a $122.25 fine.

• 'Useless': Age-old road rules question sparks heated debate on social media

• 'It's stupid': Confusion reigns over overtaking road-rule question

• Confusion over question about four-way intersection – but what would you do?

In the ACT, you can be fined $193, however the maximum fine is 20 penalty units, with one penalty unit currently $150 – meaning a person could be fined $3000.

Drivers in the Northern Territory could be fined 20 penalty units or $2,600, or six months in prison.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.