As of November 1st. Don't even think of fondling your phone in the car
www.theregister.co.uk/2012/10/19/nsw_road_rules_no_mobile_touching/
This a good move. I see it all the time.
Just last week I was sitting at traffic lights and as they went green I delayed pulling out as I wasn't sure if the car on opposing side (facing me) was turning right as I was. As we both delayed pulling out by just a few seconds, we watched in shock as a car travelling through the intersection ran their red light and sure enough he had his head down looking and/or texting on his mobile. Had I pulled out on the green his car would of slammed into Scotty's driver door.
And no I am not going get a farkin lottery ticket. ![]()
This law has been in Vic for a while now......yet I still see someone talking or texting on the phone, atleast twice a day.
How annoying is it when your driving behind someone doing 10km/h less than the speed limit, 95% of the time they are on the phone! ![]()
You can use a hands-free, just don't touch the phone!
From NSW Transport: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/using-roads/index.html
Use of mobile phones
While a vehicle is moving or stationary (but not parked), a driver may only use a mobile phone to make or receive a call or use the audio playing function:
? If the mobile phone is secured in a fixed mounting; or
? If not in a mounting, use of the mobile phone must not require a driver to touch or manipulate the phone in any way.
All other functions including texting, video messaging, online chatting, reading preview messages and emailing are prohibited.
The new laws make it clear that a driver in a moving or stationary vehicle (unless parked) MUST NOT HOLD a phone in his or her hand other than to pass the phone to a passenger.
Penalty: 3 demerit points (4 in a school zone) and $298 ($397 in a school zone)
NOTE: Learner and Provisional P1 drivers are not allowed to use ANY function of a phone (including hands-free) while driving.
Visual display units in motor vehicles
A visual display unit (including a mobile phone), which is being used as a driver's aid function, such as a GPS, may only be used in a motor vehicle if it is secured in a fixed mounting. This mounting must be commercially designed and manufactured for this purpose. It must be positioned in the vehicle to not distract or obscure the driver's view.
Penalty: 3 demerit points (4 in a school zone) and $298 ($397 in a school zone)
AND, you now must signal when exiting a roundabout. ![]()
(Bit hard on some of those little dinky ones on back streets - but I guess that comes under the "not practical to do so" clause)
Signalling at a roundabout
Drivers entering a roundabout and intending to turn
either left or right, must give sufficient warning to other
road users by signalling before entering the roundabout.
The image below illustrates this.
Previously a driver had to indicate only when entering
the roundabout.
When exiting a roundabout, whether turning left, right
or even straight ahead, drivers must always indicate a
left turn just before exiting, unless it is not practical to
do so.
Penalty: 2 demerit points and $165
Good idea to encourage people to indicate on round abouts. Usually one has to watch the drivers eyes or their tyres to get an idea of what they are actually planning to do on a round about.
There must be many drivers out there who believe in mind reading as they don't use their indicators.
About the phones, it seems like you can get in trouble for pulling over and using your phone. This doesn't seem very fair.
Its a good idea to encourage people to stick their GPSes in a safe position. Its fairly common to see people mounting their GPS on the windscreen right infront of the driving position. Good for a HUD effect, not so good for focusing on the road ahead.
The distracting aspect of using a mobile when driving is not holding the phone to your ear whilst driving one handed - albeit still dangerous. The fact that you are having a conversation on the phone is the distracting part. I use a hands free ear piece thingy and after getting off the phone after a few minutes I can honestly say I don't recall driving the previous few K.
I guess the government can't or won't ban taking on hands free but it should. I am starting think about putting my mobile in the glove box whilst driving. My job requires me to drive about 500 k's per week around Sydney metro area btw.
The boss of a trucking company I no longer drive for used to get really, REALLY angry with me coz I wouldn't answer the phone whilst driving one of his road trains.
this iphone obsession spreading like a disease. its not funny. all these zombies walking and driving around with their frozen eyes at stupid thing and finger work.