New driver distraction road rules are set to be introduced in Victoria.
These will come into effect across the state from 31 March.
According to research distraction is a key contributor to road trauma, with the risk of drivers crashing increasing when texting, browsing or emailing.
Distraction is also involved in at least 11 per cent of fatalities – equal to 20 people each year whose death is avoidable.
The new rules will extend existing mobile phone rules to cover modern technology – as one third of drivers admit to using their phone illegally while driving.
“Distraction is deadly – which is why we’re introducing these new road rules to protect the lives of Victorians,” said Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne.
“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,” she said.
The laws will bring Victoria in line with the Australian Road Rules, and cover in-built vehicle systems, mounted devices, wearable and portable devices such as smartwatches and tablets.
Providing a device has been mounted in the vehicle (in a cradle designed for the purpose or as part of the infotainment system), drivers can briefly touch it to:
- initiate, accept or reject an audio call
- play or stream audio material
- adjust volume levels
- use a function on the device designed to assist you to operate the vehicle
- use a navigation function
- use a function on the device designed to monitor a driver’s behaviour or condition, or
- carry out a professional driving task
Unless parked, drivers cannot physically type information into their device, nor can they scroll for any reason, use the device to read or write text messages, emails, message chains, or to view websites, watch movies, TV shows, video games, images, access social media, or conduct video calls.
Drivers who hold a full licence will be banned from touching an unmounted portable device, such as a phone – even if it is off – while their vehicle is in motion.
The same rules above also apply to smart watches, which can only be touched briefly to initiate, accept, or reject an audio phone call, to play or stream audio via the device, or adjust volume levels.
A two-second glance at a device means a driver is travelling blind for 28 metres while driving in a 50km/h zone – and the distance jumps to 55 metres when travelling at 100km/h.
Motorists caught driving distracted will receive penalties of four demerit points and a $555 fine.
The Victorian Government is also investing $33.7 million as part of the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 to introduce new mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera technology that will help catch people using their mobile phones and not wearing their seatbelts while driving.
The new cameras are estimated to prevent 95 crashes that result in injury or death per year.
Mobile phone and seatbelt detection technologies involve AI-enabled camera systems that can capture high-resolution images of passing vehicles in all conditions, including poor weather and low light levels when distracted driving is even more dangerous.
The new camera technology will be operational on Victorian roads in coming months. A three-month warning period will apply from the technology’s activation before drivers face infringement and demerit penalties.
“Too many drivers continue to put lives at risk using mobile phones behind the wheel. We’re deterring this type of risky behaviour on our roads with these new road rules, as well as phone and seatbelt detection technology,” said Minister for Police Anthony Carbines.
“We need every motorist to make the right decisions when they’re behind the wheel. When they don’t, road safety cameras and Victoria Police are there to hold them accountable.”