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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Josh Taylor Technology reporter

Fake claims about Australian road rules on headlights generated by AI and spread on Google

Google Australia United States New South Wales
Google search result displaying a false claim that Australian drivers must use car headlights at all times
A search for ‘australian road rules headlights’ on Wednesday resulted in Google displaying a false claim that drivers must switch them on during the day by law from 10 November or risk a $250 fine Photograph: Google

The New South Wales transport department has warned the rise of AI is increasing misinformation about road rules, after false claims that drivers must legally keep their headlights on at all times spread online.

When Australians searched for “Australian road rules for headlights”, Google summarised – and linked to – a site falsely claiming that drivers will need to keep headlights on at all times or face a $250 fine from 10 November.

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