Fake news sparks fears of night driving ban for over-60s
Authorities have moved quickly to debunk a wave of fake online articles falsely claiming that motorists over the age of 60 are facing a night-time driving ban.
The flurry of misleading articles – which appear to have been generated by artificial intelligence (AI) – claim that “motorists aged 60 and above will face night driving restrictions” and that the “law places a curfew on drivers over 60 between 10pm and 5am.”
The reports claim the so-called new rules are being put in place because older drivers have “slower reaction times, glare sensitivity, and fatigue when driving after dark,” and that “limiting night driving for drivers aged 60+ will help reduce risks, particularly on highways and rural roads where visibility is lower.”
However, no such laws have been put in place. The articles are false.
Transport for NSW, in an email to Open Road, confirmed that the articles contain false information and that “there have been no changes to driving restrictions/requirements for older drivers.”
The Department of Major Infrastructure in Western Australia said in a statement that, “This fabricated news has been shared extensively online and resulted in distress for those who believe the claims are true.”
The misinformation underscores the importance of checking official government websites to confirm current laws.
The following links contain official information about rules around older drivers:
- Older road users | Transport for NSW
- Medical conditions and fitness to drive | Access Canberra
- Age and driving safely | Transport Victoria
- Age and Driving | Queensland Government
- Older Drivers | My Licence SA
- Seniors | Road Safety Commission WA
- Driving as You Age | Transport Services Tasmania
- Seniors | Road Safety NT
How to spot misinformation online:
- Check the source – is it an official government website or a reputable news outlet?
- Look for detail – vague articles with no links to legislation or official statements should raise red flags.
- Cross-check – when in doubt, search government transport sites for the latest road rule.
