RAA is urging South Australian drivers to be cautious after a fake AI-generated article claimed there was an incoming curfew for older drivers.

The misleading social media posts suggested older drivers would soon be banned from operating vehicles between 10pm and 5am, which caused a noticeable spike in calls to RAA’s Road Rules Department from concerned members.

RAA Senior Road Safety Manager Charles Mountain was quick to address this and said legitimate changes to road rules are always communicated directly by the State Government and published on the official mylicence website.

“It’s understandable that these stories raise alarm, particularly as they are not based on proposed changes to the regulations affecting older drivers,” says Charles Mountain.

“The misinformation serves as a reminder for drivers, particularly older motorists, to verify road rule changes through trusted sources.”

South Australia already has guidelines in place for older drivers, such as medical self-assessments required for licence renewal at certain ages or in cases where health conditions could impact driving ability.

To support road users, RAA also runs the Years Ahead program – a free, one-hour session delivered by specially trained staff which covers road rules, mobility options, and lifestyle considerations. The program helps older drivers stay informed, independent, and confident behind the wheel.

“These programs are a great way to stay informed and safe, and they remind us all not to take every post online at face value,” Mr Mountain said. “Even long-term drivers can benefit from keeping their knowledge up to date and RAA encourages everyone to check official channels rather than relying on viral posts or AI-generated content.”

The organisation is encouraging South Australians to report suspicious or misleading articles and to seek advice directly if unsure.

Years Ahead sessions can be booked for groups of 20 or more by emailing yearsahead@raa.com.au.

For accurate, up-to-date information, motorists should consult the SA Government’s safe driving resources.