Who would have thought we’d be discussing genitalia in a Car Expert advice story – but here we are, and there are specific rules about exposing your junk, whether you’re in your car or not.
- Driving nude could get you in big trouble
- Topless? Maybe okay. Bottomless? Probably not
- Won’t someone think of the gross factor?
Generally, it isn’t legal to be in any public place in a state of nakedness that would allow a member (ahem) of the public to see your genitalia, whether you’re male, female, or other.
Based on obscene exposure/indecency laws around the nation it appears it’s the naked lower half of the body that shouldn’t be shown to anyone in a public place – and if you’re driving in your convertible with the roof down and your pants down (or off, that’d be safer) then you could risk being in big trouble.
There is a serious side to this. If you are found to expose yourself to anyone who doesn’t want to see what you’ve got to show them, you could be charged with obscene exposure.
Being booked on that charge and convicted of such could see you issued with a good behaviour bond, community service, or – in some instances, and depending on the circumstances of the situation – imprisonment for up to two years. The determination of the law will come down to the intent of the act.
Suffice to say that if you decide to go for a butt-naked drive in the bush on a dark night with no-one else around to see you, you mightn’t get in any trouble. But it’s best to assume that, if you have the urge to drive naked (for whatever reason), you shouldn’t act upon it, and should respect other road users and community members. And if you do have this insatiable urge to accessorise your birthday suit with a seatbelt, then you should probably talk to someone about it.
It doesn’t appear that the same strictness is enforceable for the top half of your body. Does that mean you should free the nipple? If you don’t think it’ll pose any problem for anyone else on the road you could get away with it, but the takeaway is that a topless male is more likely to be ignored by police than a topless female. However, it again comes down to what is considered “decent” in a public place.
As attitudes towards female toplessness change, this may be less of an issue. But as a rule, you should wear clothes if you’re driving. Think about it – what happens if you break down on the highway and you’re in the buff? Or what if you’re involved in an accident? Put some clothes on. It’ll make the road a safer place for you and everyone else.
Finally, one day you might sell your car, and if you have spent some time with your bare backside and bits touching the trim, please get it cleaned. No-one – and we mean NO-ONE – wants to find your pubes in their new car.
Not intended as legal advice. Check with the relevant roads authority in your state or territory.
