New road rules coming in 2025: 'Drivers should be aware'
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A new wave of road rules is set to shake up Aussie drivers in 2025, with authorities gearing up to crack down on behaviours that could cost you big.
What started as a minor update in regulations has quickly turned into a nationwide push to target key driving habits, and the consequences are not what you might expect.
With new technology and stricter enforcement on the way, the landscape for Aussie motorists is about to change dramatically.
In 2024, authorities across Australia amped up roadside camera technology, alerting drivers that new offences would be closely monitored in the year ahead.
South Australia, in particular, made headlines with its recent updates on mobile phone detection cameras, a technology introduced in June as part of a trial.
By September, drivers started receiving fines as the trial concluded.
South Australian police revealed a significant drop in the number of motorists caught using their phones.
‘The initial three-month trial saw a total of over 68,000 detections,’ said Superintendent Shane Johnson, officer in charge of traffic services.
‘Now, after three months of operations, that number has declined to just over 28,000.’
However, there were still shocking figures to report, with one motorist caught 41 times, resulting in a staggering $27,000 in fines.
The driver’s licence was suspended while investigations continued.
Additionally, 16 people were fined 10 or more times, and 165 others faced multiple penalties in the final months of 2024.
In a shift to catch even more offenders, a quiet change to the law in mid-2024 now allows police to fine drivers for having their phones resting in their lap.
‘The Road Rules Amendment Regulations have broadened the definition of “use” to circumstances where a mobile phone is being held, including in the driver’s lap,’ a spokesperson for South Australia Police said in September.
‘Drivers should be aware of recent changes to Australian Road Rules regarding mobile phone use, which came into effect on 6 June 2024.’
Authorities have been clear that they hope to see further reductions in distracted driving, and are particularly eyeing the use of smart watches in 2025.
‘Smart watches can be a form of distraction and legislation is being looked at for 2025,’ Superintendent Johnson added.
‘Our message is if it's distracting you while driving you shouldn't be looking at your smart watch.’
Other states already impose hefty fines for using a smartwatch behind the wheel, including nearly $500 in Victoria and over $360 in NSW.
Meanwhile, in Queensland, while there is no specific law yet regarding smart watches, drivers could still face fines for driving without due care, which can exceed $500.
In Western Australia, a new system of AI-powered roadside cameras is set to roll out on January 26, 2025, targeting both mobile phone and seatbelt offences.
WA's Road Safety Minister David Michael described the upcoming technology as the ‘most advanced’ in the country.
These new AI cameras will identify risky driving behaviours, including phone use, seatbelt violations, and speeding.
A warning period will run for the first few months, but enforcement will kick in from May 2025.
In short, 2024 has seen a marked push to reduce distracted driving, with authorities gearing up for even stricter enforcement in the coming year.
The introduction of cutting-edge technology and tougher regulations indicates that staying focused on the road will become even more crucial for Australian motorists.
With stricter penalties and surveillance, do you think these changes will actually make Aussie drivers safer? We’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below and let us know!
What started as a minor update in regulations has quickly turned into a nationwide push to target key driving habits, and the consequences are not what you might expect.
With new technology and stricter enforcement on the way, the landscape for Aussie motorists is about to change dramatically.
In 2024, authorities across Australia amped up roadside camera technology, alerting drivers that new offences would be closely monitored in the year ahead.
South Australia, in particular, made headlines with its recent updates on mobile phone detection cameras, a technology introduced in June as part of a trial.
By September, drivers started receiving fines as the trial concluded.
South Australian police revealed a significant drop in the number of motorists caught using their phones.
‘The initial three-month trial saw a total of over 68,000 detections,’ said Superintendent Shane Johnson, officer in charge of traffic services.
‘Now, after three months of operations, that number has declined to just over 28,000.’
However, there were still shocking figures to report, with one motorist caught 41 times, resulting in a staggering $27,000 in fines.
The driver’s licence was suspended while investigations continued.
Additionally, 16 people were fined 10 or more times, and 165 others faced multiple penalties in the final months of 2024.
In a shift to catch even more offenders, a quiet change to the law in mid-2024 now allows police to fine drivers for having their phones resting in their lap.
‘The Road Rules Amendment Regulations have broadened the definition of “use” to circumstances where a mobile phone is being held, including in the driver’s lap,’ a spokesperson for South Australia Police said in September.
‘Drivers should be aware of recent changes to Australian Road Rules regarding mobile phone use, which came into effect on 6 June 2024.’
Authorities have been clear that they hope to see further reductions in distracted driving, and are particularly eyeing the use of smart watches in 2025.
‘Smart watches can be a form of distraction and legislation is being looked at for 2025,’ Superintendent Johnson added.
‘Our message is if it's distracting you while driving you shouldn't be looking at your smart watch.’
Other states already impose hefty fines for using a smartwatch behind the wheel, including nearly $500 in Victoria and over $360 in NSW.
Meanwhile, in Queensland, while there is no specific law yet regarding smart watches, drivers could still face fines for driving without due care, which can exceed $500.
In Western Australia, a new system of AI-powered roadside cameras is set to roll out on January 26, 2025, targeting both mobile phone and seatbelt offences.
WA's Road Safety Minister David Michael described the upcoming technology as the ‘most advanced’ in the country.
These new AI cameras will identify risky driving behaviours, including phone use, seatbelt violations, and speeding.
A warning period will run for the first few months, but enforcement will kick in from May 2025.
In short, 2024 has seen a marked push to reduce distracted driving, with authorities gearing up for even stricter enforcement in the coming year.
The introduction of cutting-edge technology and tougher regulations indicates that staying focused on the road will become even more crucial for Australian motorists.
With stricter penalties and surveillance, do you think these changes will actually make Aussie drivers safer? We’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below and let us know!
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