When Drivers Use Your Servo to Beat Red Lights

As a service station owner, you’ve likely seen it more than once: a driver stuck at the red light decides to “beat the system” by ducking through your forecourt to bypass the intersection. No fuel stop, no coffee break, just a shortcut. While it might seem harmless, this kind of behaviour is not only illegal, it also creates real safety and liability risks for your business.

Under Regulation 288 of the NSW Road Rules 2014, using a petrol station to avoid stopping at a red light is considered “driving on a path” and is against the law. Service stations are legally classified as adjacent land, meaning they are not part of the road network and should not be used as a detour.

Drivers are only permitted to enter a forecourt if they’re genuinely accessing the business whether that’s to refuel, make a purchase, or stop safely. Skipping the red light by cutting across your site doesn’t qualify.

And this isn’t just an obscure rule. Since July 2021, more than 1,550 fines have been issued across NSW for this exact offence, including over 150 fines in 2025 alone. Offenders risk a $410 fine and three demerit points, nearly on par with running a red light.

So why should service station owners care?

Because these shortcuts put your staff, customers, and business at risk. Service stations are high-foot-traffic zones with unpredictable vehicle movements. Turning your forecourt into an unofficial bypass increases the chance of accidents, near misses, and customer complaints.

Even worse, repeated incidents could raise questions around your site’s safety protocols or result in increased insurance exposure if an incident occurs.

What can you do?

• Watch for repeat offenders and report any dangerous behaviour to local authorities.
  
• Install clear signage stating that the property is for fuel and retail use only—not a traffic thoroughfare.
  
• Educate your staff to be aware of this issue and note licence plates if necessary.
  
• Consider cameras to deter and document improper use of the site.
  

While you can’t stop every impatient driver, raising awareness and tightening site safety measures can help protect your business and ensure your forecourt is used the way it’s meant to be.

For the latest retailer news and information, check out the ServoPro website or to speak to us about how we can help your business contact us.