Transport authorities across the country have been forced to step in and debunk more viral reports that a late-night curfew would be imposed on drivers over the age of 60.
Fake publications, many believed to be generated by AI, reported that drivers in the senior age bracket would be banned from driving on all Australian roads between 10pm and 5am from November 1, singling out those who have vision impairment, prior involvement in nighttime collisions or medical conditions that contribute to slow reaction time.
If motorists fall into one of these categories, the reports falsely claimed they would need to apply for an exemption to drive at night, and if caught driving without one, could face a $250 fine or even a temporary licence suspension.
These rules were allegedly to be enforced by police, automated number plate recognition systems and targeted monitoring of repeat offenders; however, authorities are discrediting the claims and urging Aussies to be suspicious of sources when these reports are widely circulated online.
South Australia’s Department of Infrastructure and Transport confirmed to Yahoo News the reports were untrue.
“The Department is aware of false reports of a curfew for drivers over the age of 60. We have no plans to introduce a curfew,” a spokesperson told Yahoo.
“We urge people to be wary of scams and fake news stories and always check the validity of a website if the information seems doubtful or false,” they continued. “Changes to driving rules and regulations will always be communicated through official sources, including on government websites, official social media accounts and media campaigns.”
Aussie states and territories discredit ‘fake’ AI road rules
Yahoo News reached out to other Aussie states and territories to confirm whether the road rules, causing an uproar online, would be implemented in their jurisdiction.
Transport for NSW Secretary, Josh Murray, told Yahoo the rules are “neither true nor remotely accurate”.
“The rise of Artificial Intelligence can generate misinformation, and we’ve seen that recently with claims curfews were to be introduced for drivers over 60 in NSW and large fine increases for anyone caught breaking our road rules,” Murray said.
Queensland and Victorian authorities also confirmed to Yahoo News the alleged nighttime curfew for drivers 60 and over is false and won’t be implemented in the states.
“Reports of an age-based driving curfew are fake. [We] can confirm no changes are planned to the rules for older drivers in Queensland,” a Queensland Transport and Main Roads spokesperson told Yahoo.
“All drivers, regardless of age, must be medically fit to drive, but age itself is not a barrier to driving. Queensland legislation supports older drivers continuing to drive for as long as they can do so safely.”
The fake reports came two months after Western Australian authorities were forced to take to social media and debunk claims the state would be implementing a similar ban.
“When the false claims surfaced, the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) immediately published social media posts and a notice on our website to notify and reassure the public the claims were untrue,” DTMI told Yahoo News in September. “[We] then received close to 20 phone calls and emails from customers asking whether the false claim reported online was genuine.
“Claims being circulated online about driving curfews for people over 60 are false,” it confirmed.
It’s not the first AI-generated report to target older Australians. Source: Getty
Fake road rule claims ‘designed to unsettle older Australians’
Federal Labor MP Fiona Phillips, who holds the seat of Gilmore on the NSW South Coast, has also sought to allay fears among older voters about the “totally false” curfew claim, suggesting “overseas actors” trying to sow discontent are responsible.
“This is a misinformation campaign which is designed to unsettle older Australians,” she wrote to constituents in September. “These campaigns are often generated by hostile overseas actors trying to destabilise democratic institutions.
“I can assure you that the Australian Government is doing what we can to ensure this incorrect information is not disseminated further.”
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