Picture Melbourne's peak hour traffic—already a test of patience at the best of times. Now imagine being stuck behind someone who's more interested in their lipstick than the lights ahead. It's exactly this scenario that's got drivers across the country talking, and for good reason.
A frustrated Melbourne motorist recently shared their morning commute nightmare on Reddit, describing a driver who was simultaneously applying makeup, wearing headphones, and brake-checking other cars on the Chandler Highway.
The post struck such a chord that it quickly became a lightning rod for discussion about Australia's growing distracted driving problem.
'Shout out to the young bimbo who nearly caused several accidents and held up traffic,' the exasperated driver wrote, detailing how the woman was 'wearing headphones and trying to put on makeup in the rear view mirror' while failing to notice traffic moving ahead.
But this incident isn't just about one person's poor driving choices. It's part of a much larger and increasingly dangerous trend on Australian roads that's affecting drivers of all ages.
The sobering reality of distracted driving
The statistics paint a concerning picture. Distraction is now the main contributing factor in approximately 16 per cent of serious casualty road crashes in Australia—making it as dangerous as drink driving.
Even more alarming, in the last 12 months, 1,340 lives have been lost on Australian roads due to driving incidents, representing a 2.9 per cent increase from the previous year.
For those who remember when road safety campaigns focused primarily on speed and alcohol, this shift towards distraction-related crashes represents a significant change in how we need to think about road safety.
According to the Transport Accident Commission, drivers who use their phone while driving are 10 times more likely to crash. But the problem extends far beyond mobile phones—it's about anything that takes our attention away from the primary task of driving safely.
'Distraction is the main contributing factor in about 16 per cent of Australia's serious casualty road crashes. This suggests that distracted driving is as serious problem on Australian roads as drink driving'
Penalties that mean business
If you think the consequences for distracted driving are just a slap on the wrist, think again. Australian states have significantly ramped up their penalties, particularly for mobile phone use behind the wheel.
From 1 July 2025, fines for illegal mobile phone use while driving have increased significantly. In New South Wales, the fine now sits at $1,250, up from $1,209, and still attracts five demerit points. Queensland isn't far behind, with fines of $1,209 and 4 demerit points for illegal mobile phone use while driving.
Current mobile phone driving penalties across Australia (2025)
NSW: $1,250 fine + 5 demerit points
QLD: $1,209 fine + 4 demerit points
VIC: $611 fine + 4 demerit points
WA: $700 fine + 4 demerit points
Note: Penalties apply even when stopped at traffic lights or in traffic
What makes these penalties even more serious is the technology now watching our behaviour. Mobile phone detection cameras are operating across the country, using artificial intelligence (AI) to spot drivers using their mobile phones.
In NSW, these cameras have helped reduce mobile phone use while driving from 1 in 82 drivers in 2019 to 1 in 534 in 2023.
It's not just about phones
While mobile phones grab headlines, the Melbourne incident highlights how many different things can distract us behind the wheel. The woman in question was multitasking dangerously—applying makeup, wearing headphones, and not paying attention to traffic flow.
Research shows that driving while drinking hot food or drinks is actually the most common driver distraction, affecting nearly 4 in 10 drivers. Other significant distractions include:
- Nearly 20 per cent of drivers admit to being distracted by kids, passengers or pets in the last month
- Around 2 in 10 drivers admit to zoning out and wondering how they got somewhere, or driving while very angry or upset
Did you know?
Did you know?
Drivers who look away from the road for even two seconds can travel more than 33 metres in a vehicle moving at 60km/h. This means that four seconds can pass before the distracted driver can react to a road hazard.
The Melbourne driver's experience with the brake-checking behaviour adds another dangerous element. Brake checking—suddenly slamming on the brakes to intimidate another driver—is not only aggressive but also illegal and can result in heavy penalties if caught on camera.
Why this matters more as we age
As we get older, our reaction times naturally slow down, making the consequences of distraction potentially more serious. Taking your eyes off the road for two seconds or more doubles your crash risk, and this risk can be even higher for older drivers who may need more time to process and respond to road hazards.
The good news is that older drivers tend to be more aware of their limitations and are generally more cautious. However, this makes encounters with severely distracted drivers—like the one described in the Melbourne incident—particularly frustrating and potentially dangerous.
Protecting yourself on the road
While we can't control other drivers' behaviour, there are practical steps we can take to stay safer:
Essential distraction prevention tips
- Set up your phone's 'Do Not Disturb While Driving' mode before starting your journey
- Complete grooming, eating, and drinking before getting behind the wheel
- If you must take a call, pull over safely and legally park first
- Keep emotional conversations for when you're not driving
- Ensure passengers understand that driving requires your full attention
- Plan your route in advance rather than fiddling with GPS while moving
For those who witnessed dangerous driving like the Melbourne incident, if you have a dash cam, you can report the unsafe driving, as 'the negligent driver getting a $1,188 fine and three demerit points is far more effective' than just posting online.
A shared responsibility
The frustration expressed by the Melbourne driver resonates because dangerous driving affects all of us. Every time someone chooses to apply makeup, text, or engage in other distracting activities while driving, they're not just risking their own safety—they're putting every other road user at risk.
As drivers' exposure to distracting activities is high, policies that include education and innovative enforcement practices will be needed to decrease the prevalence of these activities and reduce adverse outcomes.
But ultimately, the responsibility lies with each of us to make better choices behind the wheel.
What This Means For You
The rise of AI-powered detection cameras and significantly increased penalties sends a clear message: Australian authorities are serious about tackling distracted driving. The question is whether drivers will get the message before they get the fine.
What are your thoughts on distracted driving? Have you encountered similar dangerous behaviour on the roads? Share your experiences and tips for staying safe in the comments below—your insights could help keep fellow drivers safer.
Original Article
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/...tml?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
Distracted driving—Australian Automobile Association
Cited text: Research has shown that, distraction is the main contributing factor in about 16 per cent of Australia’s serious casualty road crashes.
Excerpt: Distraction is now the main contributing factor in approximately 16 per cent of serious casualty road crashes in Australia
https://www.aaa.asn.au/research-data/road-safety-research-program/distracted-driving/
Mobile phone use and distracted driving statistics in Australia | Mozo
Cited text: Data from Australian Automobile Association has shown that in Australia, distraction is the main contributing factor in approximately 16 per cent of serious c...
Excerpt: Distraction is now the main contributing factor in approximately 16 per cent of serious casualty road crashes in Australia
https://mozo.com.au/insurance/car-i...nd-distracted-driving-statistics-in-australia
Mobile Phone Use While Driving Statistics in Australia | Finder
Cited text: In the last 12 months (September 2024—August 2025), 1,340 lives have been lost in Australia due to driving—an increase of 2.9 per cent from the previous y...
Excerpt: in the last 12 months, 1,340 lives have been lost on Australian roads due to driving incidents, representing a 2.9 per cent increase from the previous year
https://www.finder.com.au/car-insurance/mobile-phone-use-while-driving-statistics-australia
Mobile Phone Use While Driving Statistics in Australia | Finder
Cited text: According to the Transport Accident Commission, drivers who use their phone while driving are 10 times more likely to crash.
Excerpt: According to the Transport Accident Commission, drivers who use their phone while driving are 10 times more likely to crash
https://www.finder.com.au/car-insurance/mobile-phone-use-while-driving-statistics-australia
Australia's Road Rule Updates 2025: Beat New Penalties
Cited text: From July 1, 2025, fines for illegal mobile phone use while driving have increased significantly. In New South Wales, the fine now sits at $1,250, up ...
Excerpt: From July 1, 2025, fines for illegal mobile phone use while driving have increased significantly.
https://www.nationalcriminallawyers...w-and-how-national-criminal-lawyers-can-help/
Driving and mobile phones | Transport and motoring | Queensland Government
Cited text: You can be fined $1,209 and have 4 demerit points recorded against your traffic history for using a mobile phone illegally while driving.
Excerpt: fines of $1,209 and 4 demerit points for illegal mobile phone use while driving
https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/road-safety/mobile-phones
Australian laws for using your mobile phone while driving | Allianz Australia
Cited text: ... Across the country, mobile phone detection cameras are watching drivers on the road. They use artificial intelligence (AI) to spot drivers using t...
Excerpt: Mobile phone detection cameras are operating across the country, using artificial intelligence (AI) to spot drivers using their mobile phones
https://www.allianz.com.au/car-insurance/articles/using-mobile-phone-while-driving-laws.html
Mobile phone use and distracted driving statistics in Australia | Mozo
Cited text: Mobile phone detection cameras in NSW have helped reduce mobile phone use while driving from 1 in 82 drivers (2019) to 1 in 534 (2023).
Excerpt: In NSW, these cameras have helped reduce mobile phone use while driving from 1 in 82 drivers in 2019 to 1 in 534 in 2023
https://mozo.com.au/insurance/car-i...nd-distracted-driving-statistics-in-australia
Most Common Driver Distractions Survey Results—Murphy's Law
Cited text: Driving while drinking hot food or drinks is the most common driver distraction (Nearly 4 in 10 drivers) Young drivers aged 18-34 are two and half tim...
Excerpt: Research shows that driving while drinking hot food or drinks is actually the most common driver distraction, affecting nearly 4 in 10 drivers
https://www.murphys-law.com.au/blog/australia-distracting-driver-survey/
Most Common Driver Distractions Survey Results—Murphy's Law
Cited text: Nearly 20 per cent of drivers admit to being distracted by kids, passengers or pets in the last month.
Excerpt: Nearly 20 per cent of drivers admit to being distracted by kids, passengers or pets in the last month
https://www.murphys-law.com.au/blog/australia-distracting-driver-survey/
Most Common Driver Distractions Survey Results—Murphy's Law
Cited text: Around 2 in 10 drivers admit to zoning out and wondering how they got somewhere while driving.
Excerpt: Around 2 in 10 drivers admit to zoning out and wondering how they got somewhere, or driving while very angry or upset
https://www.murphys-law.com.au/blog/australia-distracting-driver-survey/
Most Common Driver Distractions Survey Results—Murphy's Law
Cited text: 20 per cent of drivers admit driving when very angry or upset in the last month.
Excerpt: Around 2 in 10 drivers admit to zoning out and wondering how they got somewhere, or driving while very angry or upset
https://www.murphys-law.com.au/blog/australia-distracting-driver-survey/
Distracted Driving Facts | Budget Direct
Cited text: Drivers who look away from the road for even two seconds can travel more than 33 metres in a vehicle moving at 60km/h. This means that four seconds ca...
Excerpt: Drivers who look away from the road for even two seconds can travel more than 33 metres in a vehicle moving at 60km/h.
https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/car-insurance/guides/road-safety/distracted-driving-facts.html
The facts—distractions and driving—TAC—Transport Accident Commission
Cited text: Distractions include more than just mobile phones, GPS devices, passengers or eating can also stop you from focusing on the road · Taking your eyes of...
Excerpt: Taking your eyes off the road for two seconds or more doubles your crash risk
https://www.tac.vic.gov.au/road-saf...ed-driving/the-facts-distractions-and-driving
Mobile Phone Use While Driving Statistics in Australia | Finder
Cited text: Taking your eyes off the road for more than 2 seconds doubles your risk of crashing.
Excerpt: Taking your eyes off the road for two seconds or more doubles your crash risk
https://www.finder.com.au/car-insurance/mobile-phone-use-while-driving-statistics-australia
Distracted Driving Survey & Statistics 2023—Budget Direct
Cited text: More than 65 per cent of Australians surveyed say that sending a text message distracted them the most while driving.
Excerpt: if you have a dash cam, you can report the unsafe driving, as 'the negligent driver getting a $1,188 fine and three demerit points is far more effective' than just posting online
https://www.budgetdirect.com.au/car-insurance/research/distracted-driving-statistics.html
The impact of driver distraction on road safety: results from a representative survey in two Australian states—PMC
Cited text: As drivers' exposure to distracting activities is high, policies that include education and innovative enforcement practices will be needed to decreas...
Excerpt: As drivers' exposure to distracting activities is high, policies that include education and innovative enforcement practices will be needed to decrease the prevalence of these activities and reduce adverse outcomes
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2586781/
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