Major overhaul to road rules in Australian state to target mobile phones

Drivers in Victoria face fines of $555 and four demerit points if they break a new set of road rules in an attempt to reduce the number of fatal car accidents caused by avoidable distractions.

The new laws, which take effect on March 31, will target the illegal use of electronic devices like phones and smartwatches while driving.

Under the new traffic rules, fully licensed drivers are not allowed to touch any disassembled electronic device, even if it is turned off, while their vehicle is in motion.

Temporary drivers and L-platers will have to stop and park to change a song and cannot use voice controls to operate any built-in device or navigation system while driving.

Here’s a full breakdown of the new rules for each driver’s license class:

restricted drivers

Under the new rules, L and P users cannot receive or make calls while driving and cannot touch, carry or rest a portable device on any part of their body.

Restricted drivers must set up navigation systems before their trip and cannot touch any portable electronic devices, even if they are mounted.

The new laws state that L and P license plate users cannot use voice controls to operate any mounted, portable or embedded system while driving.

‘You must stop and park to change a song or enter a different address. You are not allowed to touch a mounted device for any reason while on a ride,” VicRoads said.

Strict rules on smartwatches mean that restricted drivers can only use wearable devices to play audio, which must be set up before the car sets off.

Motorcyclists on their L or P license plates may use a helmet device to navigate or play music, but may not touch the controls while in motion.

The rules state that passengers must set up navigation or music before their journey begins.

For drivers with a full license, mounted devices can only be touched briefly to receive or reject a call, play audio and adjust audio levels, and for navigation (stock image)

Fully licensed drivers

For unrestricted drivers, the mounted devices can be used briefly to receive or reject a call, play music, adjust audio levels, and for navigation.

Drivers are not allowed to scroll through their social networks, check text messages, make video calls or play videos or games on any portable or integrated device.

This includes placing electronic devices on any part of the body or giving a device to another person inside the vehicle.

“For mobile phones and tablets, the mount must be commercially designed and manufactured for that purpose, and the device must be secured in the mount,” VicRoads said.

“As a general rule, drivers can use their mounted or built-in systems for features like music and navigation, as long as they’re not entering text, scrolling, or viewing images or video.”

Drivers can connect their device to Bluetooth before their journey begins and can use their phones to pay at a drive-thru.

Fully licensed drivers may only use wearable devices such as smartwatches if they use voice controls to take a call, play music or adjust volume levels.

Mounted devices can be used briefly to accept or reject a call, play music, adjust audio levels, and for navigation purposes.

Under the new rules, unrestricted drivers can use mounted devices for brief use to take or reject a call, play music, adjust audio levels and for navigation.

Other road users

The rules are slightly different for people who drive for work and need to interact with a device, such as rideshare, freight, delivery, or bus drivers.

Professional driving tasks are allowed, as long as drivers do not scroll through their devices or enter information, text, numbers, or symbols.

These tasks include:

• accepting or declining a job (for example, rideshare, taxi, or delivery drivers);
• information gathering (eg, freight, delivery, or bus drivers collecting information about upcoming trips, pickups, or returns);
• maintain security (eg, monitor passengers or livestock in a vehicle);
• maintain security;
• facilitate the movement of passengers (for example, operating the doors of a bus).

The stricter rules of the road also apply to motorcyclists, bicycles, electric scooters, and recreational vehicles such as skateboards and roller blades.

fines

All drivers in Victoria can be fined $555 and four demerit points for illegal use of a mobile phone or other device.

If the matter goes to court, motorists could be forced to shell out $1,849 for violating the new traffic rules, which take effect on March 31.