Australian motorists could be fined for leaving their cars unlocked or unattended, according to Sydney lawyer Jahan Kalantar, who highlighted rarely-known road rules in a viral TikTok video. Rules vary by state, but drivers who walk more than three metres from their vehicle may be legally required to switch off the engine, remove the key, close the windows and lock the doors, even in seemingly minor situations such as paying for petrol at a service station.

Maximum court penalties reach $2,200 in New South Wales, $3,454 in Queensland and $627.30 in Victoria, while Western Australia imposes a flat $50 infringement, though actual fines issued are typically far lower than the maximums. Windows must be closed to within two centimetres in NSW, Victoria and WA, or five centimetres in Queensland, to count as secure. Kalantar said the rule, though rarely enforced, exists to deter theft and limit insurance costs, and acknowledged it was unreasonable to expect drivers to know every obscure road rule, a sentiment echoed by many surprised social media users.