New Road Rules

Photo: RTA

Put down your mobile phone

Drivers have been warned put down their mobile phones. New Road rules came into effect a few days ago.

You can only use a mobile phone to make or receive a phone call while driving if the phone is secured in a in a commercially-designed and manufactured cradle fixed to the vehicle and it can be operated without touching any part of the phone that is via Bluetooth.

The laws make it clear that a driver cannot hold a phone in their hand, other than to pass it to a passenger.

Drivers cannot rest mobile phones on their legs or hold it between their shoulder and ear.
Fully licensed drivers can press buttons on the phone for the purpose of making a call, using GPS or listening to music if it is properly mounted.

Learner and P1 motorists are not permitted to use any function of the mobile phone while driving.

Photo: Freefotouk

Penalties

The penalty for illegally using a mobile phone while driving is three demerit points and a $298 fine. This is upgraded to four demerit points and a $397 fine if the offence occurs in a school zone.

Other rules affected too

There are also new rules for using roundabouts, overtaking, giving way to pedestrians and changes for the heavy vehicle industry.
If you wish to read these rules for yourself and make sure you are covered then here is the link for you to go to. It is also available in a multitude of languages. http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/usingroads/downloads/nsw_road_rules_2012.pdf