New road rule that will carry a whopping $555 fine
A new road rule has been introduced in Victoria where learner and provisional drivers will have to pull over and park to change a song. The new driver distraction rule is designed to cut road trauma.
From March 31, all drivers, including those holding a full licence, will be banned from touching portable devices such as phones, tablets and laptops if they are unmounted, even if they are turned off. Drivers are able to handle devices if they are parked.
Drivers will also be prohibited from having portable devices on their laps or any part of their body unless they are in a pocket or pouch, which includes passing them to someone else or looking at a device held by another person.
Mounted, wearable and in-built devices may not be scrolled on, display text messages or social media, emails or photos by drivers. Playing videos or games, taking video calls and texting numbers or symbols are all prohibited under the new rule.
Learner and provisional drivers will essentially be banned from using any device entirely while driving. They will, however, be allowed to use devices to play audio or navigation as long as they are mounted and set up before they hit the road.
The rule insists they must pull over and park to change a song, enter a different address or adjust climate settings and audio functions.
Learner and provisional drivers are prohibited from using voice controls.
Fully licensed drivers are permitted to briefly touch mounted and in-built devices to initiate, accept or decline calls, adjust the radio or use a function designed to help them drive.
They are also allowed to use navigation functions and other functions put in place to monitor a driver’s behaviour or condition or to carry out a professional driving task.
Paying with a portable device at a drive-through is allowed, as is connecting a device to the vehicle’s Bluetooth before driving.
There will be new AI-enabled camera systems operating on Victoria’s roads over the next few months to catch distracted drivers. The cameras are able to capture high-resolution images of passing vehicles in all conditions and detect phones and seatbelts.
Motorists caught driving distracted will receive penalties of four demerit points and a $555 fine.
Melissa Horne, Roads and Safety Minister, announced the upcoming changes, saying, “Distraction is deadly - which is why we’re introducing these new road rules to protect the lives of Victorians,”
“Everyone has a role to play in keeping our roads safe, so, when you’re driving, please make the right choices - pay attention and don’t be distracted.”
The driver distraction rules will bring Victoria into line with the Australian Road Rules, with distraction playing a part in at least 11 per cent of fatalities, according to the government. One in three drivers admit to using their phone while driving.
The new rules will also apply to wearable devices such as smartwatches.
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