Am I at Risk Getting Fined for Driving A Few Hours Away to Hiking Spot with Girlfriend?

sp3ctr41 on 07/04/2020 - 13:54
Last edited 07/04/2020 - 17:39 by 1 other user

There's a popular thread on here about how a person has been fined for driving unnecessarily (L-plater). I was planning on driving a few hours away to a relatively secluded hiking spot with my girlfriend over the weekend. Full disclosure, she does not live with me.

These laws are targeting people who are of no risk of spreading the virus (slight risk between just the two of us if you want to nitpick), and I can't just not see her for 90 days anyway, it's absurd.

Am I risking getting fined here? (2 people, going to exercise).

I live in NSW.

And for the record, other than this, I am social distancing.

Automotive

Comments

          • cassea on 09/04/2020 - 09:57
            +2

            @p1 ama: There would be no harm to driving around and not getting out of your vehicle, so long as other things were taken into consideration such as only buying fuel in your local neighbourhood.

            I have no doubt that would have been allowed if people could be trusted to actually do the right thing. Instead we see people trying to find every loophole possible and openly breaking even the most important quarantine rules. If people were allowed to drive around freely it would be impossible to police where they were going, what they were going to do and whether they stayed in their vehicles or not.

          • helifella on 13/04/2020 - 18:21

            @p1 ama: What's the harm you say - none, if everybody were meticulous about hygiene, cars didn't need fuel, they had 100% reliability and never broke down, and they were never involved in accidents. However, that's not the case and every one of those scenarios introduces the risk of someone (might not be you) coming into contact with another surface/person that potentially has COVID-19.
            If you're driving around, you're going to need fuel. Now you're going and touching pumps that others have touched, and going into a store to pay where other people are/have been. Maybe you would santise the pump handle, but some people won't (they are the reason these rules are in place). Now the station is going through more gas which means refuelers having to make additional trips = more exposure for them and all involved.
            Maybe your car breaks down - now roadside assist gets involved. Maybe you don't catch it yourself. But perhaps the tow truck driver has COVID-19. He puts it on your car. The mechanic who receives your car gets it off the surfaces the tow truck driver touched. He takes it home to his wife, who looks after her elderly mother who already has health issues. Risks.
            Maybe you get involved in a serious accident - now you've got paramedics, tow truck drivers, fire fighters, police, surgeons, nurses all involved in saving someone's life. Countless points of contact. And maybe one of the drivers or passengers ends up in ICU, stretching the already heavily burdened system even further, perhaps denying the bed to someone who is drowning from the fluid buildup in their lungs due COVID-19.
            Every time someone takes an unnecessary trip, it could be the contributing straw that breaks the camels back.

    • cameldownunder on 07/04/2020 - 17:11
      +31

      I can see the next post of OP
      "I went for a trip with my girlfriend and police fined me with a $1600 fine. Should I go to court and fight it ? I am young, fit and healthy"

      • ddhar on 09/04/2020 - 07:31
        +11

        Or "I had a car crash with an L plater learning to drive and we are both uninsured. What do I do?"

  • WreckTangle on 07/04/2020 - 14:04
    +10

    Plus when you drive make sure you keep a social distance from other cars

    • Kangal on 10/04/2020 - 20:39
      +1

      Gonna be hard keeping 1.5m distance whilst doing 110kph on the highway…

  • CyberMurning on 07/04/2020 - 14:43
    +2

    when you drive you must keep social distance from your body to the steering wheels

  • brad1-8tsi on 07/04/2020 - 14:51
    +3

    Just decide on which of your houses is more condusive to "care" and go and care for each other. If you need excercise then go for a walk. We've been walking beside the highway at North Sydney. It's very pleasant with a 90% reduction in vehicle traffic.

    • SBOB on 07/04/2020 - 14:53
      +6

      If you need excercise then go for a walk

      Boyfriend and girlfriend… self isolation. Surely they can think of better exercise alternatives right ;)

      • spackbace on 07/04/2020 - 15:08
        +4

        Maybe it's only 5mins out of their month :P

        • AdosHouse on 07/04/2020 - 15:56
          +20

          5 minutes? What the hell do people do with the other 4.5 minutes?

    • cameldownunder on 07/04/2020 - 17:13

      If you need exercise … isolate yourself with her … choose cosy place
      And you want to take a car trip ? Do you and her have a house mate ?
      What's wrong with you young people? No clue what to do with each other ?

  • theHMASfriendship on 07/04/2020 - 15:09
    +3

    No funny business in the car, you two.

    • Wallyt99 on 09/04/2020 - 07:53
      +9

      I think this is actually the whole point. OP and his GF probably live with their parents (particularly evident judging on maturity level).

      Their parents not supportive of activities which breach social distancing?

  • Ononono on 07/04/2020 - 15:18
    +32

    Exercise is supposed to be done near your residence for the sole purpose of personal health, not used as a loophole to go wherever you feel like. The restrictions are clear, whether you think they are reasonable or not is irrelevant. This is why we have harsh restrictions because too many people think rules don't apply for them.

    • cameldownunder on 07/04/2020 - 17:14
      +1

      Boating with fishing rod is allowed !

      • mapax on 07/04/2020 - 19:14
        +1

        In Vic. fishing is banned.
        And in Tas you can only launch your boat in the district that it’s registered in, I guess for people who don’t have a ramp in their area they’re banned?

  • Numpty21 on 07/04/2020 - 15:19
    +31

    Just stay at home and stop looking for justification for doing the wrong thing.
    What if you have an accident on the drive?
    By you being a greedy Tw*t could be taking a hospital space that is needed by others.

    Just stay at home

  • chumlee on 07/04/2020 - 15:39
    +1

    Why can't drivers park 1.5m away from me?

  • wiipantz on 07/04/2020 - 15:53
    +2

    Do it and report back on the results… ffs

    • gummibear on 09/04/2020 - 22:00

      Hey OP, don't forget to tell the police where and when you will be also. You deserve a medal for isolating yourself away from society whilst exercising.

  • kanmen on 07/04/2020 - 16:12
    +9

    This all comes down to resources. If something happened to you while being out there, you will require emergency services. We socially distance to minimise the impact of this disease on others and minimise the spread so our health care system can cope. We stick to 'essential travel' only, for the same reason as limiting the chances of burdening our health care system more than necessary.
    I think you would complain even more if something happened and they just left you out there but honestly I'd be tempted

  • try2bhelpful on 07/04/2020 - 16:12
    +10

    The main problem is if we spread the virus to anyone in a country town they don’t have the hospital services to deal with emergency situations. Don’t stray out of your area.

  • plmko on 07/04/2020 - 16:17
    +11

    Lol this thread is gold

    • barghunt1 on 08/04/2020 - 10:52
      +5

      I can't beleive this is a thread.

  • ode1online on 07/04/2020 - 16:33
    +11

    Go to her house or she goes to yours, Go for a walk, not a drive.. Get over it

    • Yummy on 08/04/2020 - 17:56

      Or Must A Bait on skype.

  • popsiee on 07/04/2020 - 16:36
    -3

    It would be cool that the State Dictators would state that driving X amount away from your home for exercise is not ok . Current rules you could argue driving to a spot for exercise .
    Assuming that doing some exercise from your house is ok with them .
    The beaches also should have rules of no lying down staying still and if constantly in motion its ok if within walking distance of your home ( I assume the Dictator's would want this part )

    • jackary on 12/04/2020 - 09:00
      +1

      Love the liberal use of the word “dictator” haha - oh and those “state dictators” actually have set out rules in regards to most of your petulant demands - in QLD we have been told where we can exercise, how far from home we can venture etc. I cannot drive to the Gold Coast to the beach for example. Based on what I’ve seen of the constant covid barrage on TV, other states have done similar albeit with a few tweaks around the edges.

      A lot of focus has been placed by our “dictators” chastising the young for breaching the rules. This thread has confirmed to me that it’s not just the young trying to find loopholes, or “interpret” what has been, all considered in the circumstances, very clear messaging to suit their own selfish agenda.

      This is a public health initiative with the sole purpose of preserving life, not some sort of Stalin-esque deprivation of your liberties. Get a grip mate.

  • JimmyF on 07/04/2020 - 16:42
    +16

    These laws are targetting people who are of no risk of spreading the virus

    How do you know you don't have the virus and as such are spreading the virus on your travels?

    These laws are targeting everyone EQUALLY. STAY AT HOME. Its pretty simple.

    I was planning on driving a few hours away

    So not stopping to get fuel or food? You might run into someone else doing the same thing. You might break down and need help.

    Am I risking getting fined here? (2 people, going to exercise).

    Can't you just go over to hers or she comes over to yours to 'exercise' inside like normal people?

  • Gronk on 07/04/2020 - 16:54
    +20

    Doesn't matter how you try to frame your excuses viewpoint, it's non-essential travel.

    Waiting for the (misrepresented) 'Waaaaah, I got fined for doing nothing' thread.

  • [Deactivated] on 07/04/2020 - 17:33
    -4

    Comment withdrawn to avoid stirring up COVIDiots.

    • jackary on 12/04/2020 - 09:13

      I’m sorry for being a COVIDiot in the midst of a worldwide pandemic currently killing tens of thousands of people

  • whooah1979 on 07/04/2020 - 20:01

    Both hiking and recreational fishing is allowed in New South Wales. Bring your tackle box and fishing rod on your hiking trip. Give your girlfriend a fishing rod too. Make sure your hiking trail is next to a body of water.

  • Euphemistic on 07/04/2020 - 21:26
    +9

    Exercise is not a valid reason to travel ‘a few hours’. Hiking, also known as walking, can be done locally.

    • Kamsi on 11/04/2020 - 20:46

      Hiking, also known as walking

      Will technically yes but they're not really the same.

  • Simoneee on 07/04/2020 - 22:49
    +2

    Tell me. What's the point of a lockdown then?

  • tabitha731 on 08/04/2020 - 07:54
    +6

    I don’t understand how YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND the new laws inNSW! Catching up with others not from ur same household for the purpose of leisure is against the law. Ur not driving to a grocerit store for essentials. U &ur girlfriend are just so insecure, that u cant even go into isolation for the health benefit of ur elderly family members or general public who are susceptible to the virus. The virus doesn’t stop with u and ur darling girlfriend. Like everything in this world its not all about you… it all gies beyond u!

    • Euphemistic on 08/04/2020 - 09:53
      +12

      Well done in saving all those y’s and o’s.

  • eggles01 on 08/04/2020 - 08:10

    just Google the question and do not forget to mention which state/s you are in

  • boratthegreat on 08/04/2020 - 08:53
    +4

    Just stay home and do some sexercise. Problem solved. You’re welcome.

  • Lurk Hartog on 08/04/2020 - 08:53
    +1

    I have a similar question about driving to a bush track 10 minutes away to walk my dog.

    Both my dog and I enjoy this walk more than walking around my suburb. I tend to come across less people on this secluded bush track than I do on the streets. Justified?

    • Euphemistic on 08/04/2020 - 09:54
      +4

      10min drive is significantly different to a few hours.

    • gromit on 08/04/2020 - 20:18
      +1

      I doubt you would have a problem, as long as it isn't one of the public parks or reserves that are closed. 10 mins is basically local though it could depend on how irritated the cop is at the time, a couple of hours is not under any explanation ever gonna be considered local. the state you are in will also impact the answer to this.

    • jv on 08/04/2020 - 20:21

      I have a similar question about driving to a bush track 10 minutes away to walk my dog.

      In VIC, that would not be allowed. Don't know what the rules are in NSW.

  • HeWhoKnows on 08/04/2020 - 09:13
    +9

    OP is one of those people that just DO NOT LISTEN

    Its all over the NEWS!

    I say let OP take the drive and pay the hefty fine
    Its the only way people like this will learn

  • theguru1 on 08/04/2020 - 09:32

    You should be perfectly fine. Go for it OR
    rather than ask OzBargain how about the Coronovirus hotline or the NSW Police.

  • A Driver on 08/04/2020 - 11:01
    +4

    Stop looking for loopholes. The rules are pretty simple… STAY AT HOME. If you need to exercise you can leave the house but you should practice social distancing and stay local only (it’s actually a fantastic opportunity to explore our own suburbs). Really it’s not that bloody difficult and will save lives.

  • Brendoo on 08/04/2020 - 12:11
    +5

    You would definitely be fined for that if caught. Silly question.
    If you are expecting to say it’s for exercise you would be fined because you are only allowed to exercise close to your home. Police will check your address on your ID.
    This info is given to us in multiple forms every day.

  • RogerSyd on 08/04/2020 - 12:40
    +1

    It's a simple message - Stay at home and travel only for essentials. I hope COVIDIOTs don't make the situation worse in Australia.

  • Backy on 08/04/2020 - 13:06

    The first 2 quiz should answer your question.

    Test yourself with this coronavirus quiz: Do you know what you can and can’t do for exercise?
    https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/04/08/exercise…

  • ngengerous on 08/04/2020 - 14:39
    +3

    Just go visit her house or have her visit you, and have a walk around your neighborhood - and be grateful you get to see her at all, some of us have partners in different states and we WILL just have to not see them for 90 days.

  • pingualien on 08/04/2020 - 17:16

    secluded place ;)

    • Yummy on 08/04/2020 - 17:49

      Fake taxi sexy time.

  • OzHunterNSW on 08/04/2020 - 17:20
    +6

    What do you think…. its not really down the park is it.
    haven't you been hearing about the STAY AT HOME this Easter…..
    Stop trying to push the boundaries and placing us all in peril.

    do the right thing

  • OneJay on 08/04/2020 - 17:25
    +6

    On Monday night I witnessed someone get fined $1652 for breaking social distancing rules by standing in a group of 3 with another couple chatting away for 20 minutes whilst out walking their dogs.

    This was in VIC at the local park near my house whilst I was out jogging.

    • darkmoss on 08/04/2020 - 18:36
      +1

      so good !

      • OneJay on 08/04/2020 - 21:06
        +1

        You should have heard her loudly protesting her innocence and carrying on like a pork chop - until the officers said they've a witness, she'd been chatting for 20 minutes and "would you like us to go catch your friends too?" (the couple had taken off across the park into the darkness moments after they saw the patrol car coming back for their 2nd round).

    • jenkemjunkie on 10/04/2020 - 13:48
      -1

      I’d just elect to be prosecuted - the court’s back log would be so huge, the ‘witness’ wouldn’t bother coming to testify and it would just be dismissed.

      • OneJay on 10/04/2020 - 14:27
        -2

        The witness was my partner, the only other person there at the time, who was walking laps of the car park. The Officer didn't take down her details. So it would be just the person vs Police prosecution.

        Having said that if I had gotten a fine I would try my luck electing to go to court, plead guilty, and hold out for a Section 10. I don't know how successful getting the charge dismissed would be seeing as breaking isolation rules has a lot more public interest than say a simple no rego fine.

        • jenkemjunkie on 10/04/2020 - 15:01
          -3

          So your wife is willing to be a witness over such a ‘crime’ - no wonder community has eroded in Australia.

          Wind back time and she’d have most definitely been a Gestapo informant telling them where the Jews were.

          Edit: I’d never associate with a snitch, let alone married one…damn

          • OneJay on 10/04/2020 - 18:35
            +1

            @jenkemjunkie: My partner never said she would be a “witness”. And now that I think back the actual word my partner said the Officer used was “somebody” (otherwise they would have gotten her details) - admittedly careless use of term with legal implication on my part.

            My first thought when my partner told me was the same as yours - “snitch”. Instead I said “you reported them!” to which she said the officer came over and asked her if she was with them, and how long they’d been chatting. She’d spoken truthfully.

            And my partner owes them nothing, so she’s not going to lie to a sworn Officer when asked a simple question. Correcting your assumption - we are not married.

              • OneJay on 10/04/2020 - 19:23
                +1

                @jenkemjunkie: Sorry to say you sound extremely triggered over these comments to the point you start attacking and making personal assumptions about people behind monitors. Sorry to have angered you. Nonetheless I hope the rest of the weekend goes better for you.

                • jenkemjunkie on 10/04/2020 - 19:39

                  @OneJay: My weekend is great - I haven’t had someone dog me out to the cops like your missus has and ruined their weekend ;)

    • popsiee on 10/04/2020 - 16:46

      In the outer suburbs I saw during a 1 block walk to the Post Office 2 different groups of Police being 3 and 4 of them sweeping the streets in the already ghost town with the 80-90% abiding by the rules . This Easter weekend I fear they will push to find fines to support their existence in these sweeps . The Authorities based on recent data have it under control but have no clue of the end game living with a sustainable economy with social isolation required for the next 12-18 mths.

  • cornholyio on 08/04/2020 - 19:08

    A lockdown is an emergency protocol that usually prevents people or information from leaving an area. Wikipedia
    Are we in lockdown? Yes
    Can I go for a hike? No

  • trapper on 08/04/2020 - 19:22

    You will be fined for sure.

  • sraymond on 08/04/2020 - 19:30
    +3

    Luckily the OP dropped off the thread. I ran clean out of negs.

    • dufflover on 09/04/2020 - 00:47
      +1

      Probably dropped out as soon as he learnt he was allowed to go visit her to get laid without the complication of an excuse for meeting up for exercise.

  • manbackwards on 08/04/2020 - 19:34
    +11

    My friend went out last weekend for a day trip and police checked he's licence and registration and worked out he was not a local and left this on he's windscreen.

    https://imgur.com/a/BDj8BAV

  • gromit on 08/04/2020 - 20:15

    Are you at risk of getting a fine? Absolutely, no ifs or buts, if they catch you they almost certainly will fine you and it will be richly deserved for such a blatant unnecessary breach

  • OzzyOzbourne on 08/04/2020 - 20:37

    Yes, the rules trying to protect us all are quite simple

  • hikaru78 on 08/04/2020 - 21:03
    +1

    um just because the op doesn't agree with the law doesn't mean is doesn't apply to him. pretty clear you risk a fine. the fact you don't agree with it is irrelevant

  • whooah1979 on 08/04/2020 - 21:14
    -4

    Op, you're allowed to travel a reasonable distance in NSW to exercise. The guys at work take regular trips from Sydney up and down the coast for exercise and sports fishing. Anywhere between Newcastle to Gerringong is reasonable for hiking or sports fishing.

    • 91rs on 08/04/2020 - 21:23
      +2

      "I was planning on driving a few hours away"

      Its a very obvious no, there is little question in that.
      Whats stopping people saying they want to do "insert exercise here" in whatever far off location they want to be in?
      They'd lookup and confirm your home address then tell you that you're taking the piss, ticket you and tell you to F off home.

      Where we then await the thread asking how he can contest the fine in court or as they've both lost their jobs how to pay the tickets /s

      • whooah1979 on 08/04/2020 - 21:42
        -3

        The NSW restrictions doesn't limit the distance nor the type of exercise.
        https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/_emergency/Public%20Health%20(COVID-19%20Restrictions%20on%20Gathering%20and%20Movement)%20Order%202020.pdf

        There are plenty of nice spots along the coast between Newcastle to Gerringong that OP could hike.

        • Euphemistic on 09/04/2020 - 08:05
          +1

          Stay the “&@$ at home.

          You are expected to exercise locally only. A couple of hours drive might be reasonable under normal circumstances, but not when you are meant to be limiting unnecessary travel. You want exercise, you should be going to the closest place AND remain in your local area. If you need to define local, either your suburb or local government area

        • 91rs on 09/04/2020 - 09:55

          "How far are you allowed to travel for exercise?
          No states have specific rules on the distance you are allowed to travel to exercise, however many have appealed for people to use “common sense”.

          NSW – You are allowed to drive across town however you aren’t allowed to travel hours out of the city."

          And I will again quote OP
          "I was planning on driving a few hours away"

          Stay the Fvck at home like everyone else has mostly done so far.

  • MessyG on 08/04/2020 - 21:37

    Yes you will get fined. You have a plan but what you should remember that plans are not realities and reality often winds up being very different to the plan. You don't know what's going to happen on that drive or that hike. What if there's a car accident and you stop to help? An injured animal? What if ten other people have had the same idea as you? What if on the drive home you get this great idea to take a detour and do something else? And you can say no, none of these things will happen, but they're all theoretical "no's". I get it, I get your reasoning, but just don't do it. You would not be able to live with yourself if it wound up with someone dead.

  • cuckchump on 08/04/2020 - 22:11
    +1

    sounda like someone is blue balls from isolation

  • CocaKoala on 08/04/2020 - 22:31
    +1

    IIRC you're allowed to get out to exercise somewhere near your residence. Driving two hours for exercising may be stretching it far too much, and you're going to risk it.

  • bmerigan on 08/04/2020 - 22:42
    +8

    I don't understand what you mean by "These laws are targeting people who are of no risk of spreading the virus".
    I'm pretty sure EVERYONE is capable of catching and spreading the virus, even you.

    • Jugganautx on 08/04/2020 - 22:44

      apparently fit and healthy people don't get sick because they're fit and healthy. lol

  • dufflover on 08/04/2020 - 23:03
    +4

    Oh the irony later if he tests positive as one of those asymptomatic carriers, or catches it from some idiot who had the exact same attitude as him anyway.

    • TheBird on 09/04/2020 - 00:03
      -1

      or a serial killer is hunts them…. of course, for the good of the nation ;)

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 08/04/2020 - 23:19

    As long as your happy to drop around 1700 on a fine then go for your life champ

    • KiwiTheGreat on 09/04/2020 - 16:47
      +3

      That's $1700*2 actually. Him and his girlfriend.

  • Ahbal on 08/04/2020 - 23:50
    +1

    Can't wait for the "travelled 3 hours for essential exercise while caring for my partner, this is essential travel help me take this to court ozbargain" thread.

  • TheBird on 09/04/2020 - 00:02

    This thread makes me wish we follow California for their "Snitches get rewards" program.

    • Wallyt99 on 09/04/2020 - 08:00

      No need. There are literally thousands of calls every day to the hotline.

      • TheBird on 09/04/2020 - 08:39

        There's a hotline?

        How did I miss this?

        • mousie on 09/04/2020 - 17:12

          Ask Drake

    • 91rs on 09/04/2020 - 09:57

      Or the rules in Philippines if he starts to cause trouble when getting told he wasn't allowed to be out anyway ..

    • Popid on 09/04/2020 - 15:22

      first of all, surely it'd be 'snitches get riches', secondly - not saying I wouldn't dob in a neighbour or something egregiously flouting the restrictions, but I can't imagine being EAGER to; the attitude amongst people here practically rubbing their hands together at the idea of dobbing people in is sad af

      • TheBird on 09/04/2020 - 16:30

        Truth be told, that's a much better saying.

        The longer this goes, the more lives have the potential to be ruined. If everyone was willing to do the right thing, it wouldn't be needed in the first place. It is a big deal. Much like drink driving though the potential damage is much greater. If you want to risk your own life, go for it, russian roulette to your hearts content. When your actions put other lives at risk, it's unacceptable.

  • Amour on 09/04/2020 - 00:14
    +1

    OP I hope you don’t mind that I’m going to hijack your thread with a question of my own?

    I’m curious to hear opinions about this situation. I have found something for my sons 21st birthday present that is a 2hr round trip to buy. It is too big and heavy to post and it isn’t cheap, so I want to see it first. It’s a milestone birthday so I’m pretty fussy about what I get him. I can’t find exactly the same thing any closer to where I live. Is it essential to buy your kid a present and am I running the gauntlet doing a 2hr round trip to purchase it? Most of that time will be spent on the highway, so it’s not just meandering through the burbs.

    • hayne on 09/04/2020 - 00:56
      +11

      No. It’s not essential.

      Stay. At. Home.

      • Amour on 09/04/2020 - 06:10

        Thanks. That’s what I was leaning towards, just curious to test what others thought.

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