From 17 September 2018, drivers who use a mobile phone illegally will be penalised an extra demerit point, up from four to five in New South Wales.
During double demerit periods, drivers who break the rules will be penalised 10 demerit points.
Fully licensed drivers and riders can only make a call on their phone if it is either in a cradle fixed to the vehicle or operated without touching any part of the phone, such as via Bluetooth or voice activation.
Drivers are not allowed to use their mobiles to text, email, use social media, take photos or video call while driving.
Learner, P1 and P2 licence holders are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving or riding. This includes when waiting at traffic lights or stuck in traffic. You must be parked out of the line of traffic to use your phone in any way.
Learner and P1 drivers and riders penalised for illegally using a mobile phone (four demerit points) will exceed their demerit point threshold and face a three-month licence suspension.
P2 drivers and riders will have three demerit points remaining if they are penalised for illegally using a mobile phone.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said higher demerit points for illegal phone use will help change the way drivers act on our roads.
“We know from a recent RMS survey that 74 per cent of the community supports a crackdown to illegal phone use behind the wheel. We all see it and the community has had enough,” Mrs Pavey said.
“We have already introduced legislation to enable camera-based technology so it can be used to enforce mobile phone offences in the future, a world first.”
A woman talking on her phone while driving, as a new survey suggests that young drivers are most likely to talk on the phone while driving. Source: AAP
Four demerit points and a $484 fine in Victoria
In Victoria, Fully licensed car drivers are prohibited from using a mobile phone, except to make or receive a phone call or to use its audio/music functions provided the phone is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle, or can be operated by the driver without touching any part of the phone, and the phone is not resting on any part of the driver's body.
Using a phone as a navigational device/GPS while driving is prohibited unless it is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle. All other functions (including video calls, texting and emailing) are prohibited.
The penalties are 4 demerit points and a $484 fine.
Learner, P1 and P2 drivers are not allowed to use a mobile phone (hand-held or hands-free) for any function while driving (including while stationary but not parked).
All probationary drivers who reach 5 demerit points may incur a licence suspension.
