This everyday act behind the wheel could cost you between $125 to $2,000—Depending on one detail
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Picture this: you’re cruising down the highway, your favourite tunes playing, when your wrist buzzes.
Instinctively, you glance at your smartwatch—just a quick peek, right? But did you know that tiny glance could double your risk of a crash and land you with a fine that’s anything but tiny?
Depending on where you’re caught in Australia, doing this while driving could cost you anywhere from $125 to a whopping $2,000 (or even more if you end up in court)!
It’s a modern dilemma: smartwatches have become as common as mobile phones, but most Aussies have no idea that using one behind the wheel is just as risky—and just as illegal—as texting on your phone.
In fact, the rules around smartwatches are a bit of a legal minefield, with penalties and regulations varying wildly from state to state.
Why Are Smartwatches So Dangerous Behind the Wheel?
You might think a quick glance at your wrist is harmless, but research says otherwise. According to Sina Rejali, a PhD candidate and researcher at Queensland University of Technology, smartwatches can be even more distracting than mobile phones.
That’s because they demand your attention in three ways: visually (you’re not looking at the road), cognitively (your mind is on the message, not your driving), and physically (if you’re tapping or swiping, your hands aren’t where they should be).
And it’s not just about reading a message. Even using voice commands can take your focus off the road, making it a potentially deadly distraction.
Distraction is a factor in about 16% of Australia’s serious road crashes, so it’s not something to take lightly.
The Law: A Patchwork of Penalties Across Australia
Here’s where things get tricky. There’s no single, nationwide law about smartwatches and driving. Instead, each state and territory has its own set of rules—some more severe than others. Let’s break it down:
In earlier news: New road rules coming in 2025: 'Drivers should be aware'
Why Are the Rules So Confusing?
The explosion in smartwatch popularity has left lawmakers scrambling to keep up.
There aren’t specific 'smartwatch laws' yet, so most states lump them in with mobile phone or 'visual display unit' rules. This patchwork approach means you could be fined a little or a lot, depending on where you’re caught.
What Counts as ‘Using’ a Smartwatch?
It’s not just about sending a text. If you’re reading notifications, checking emails, scrolling social media, or even fiddling with your watch face, you could be breaking the law. Some states even ban wearing a smartwatch unless it’s mounted and not being interacted with.
Is Voice Control Any Safer?
Voice commands might seem like a loophole, but experts warn they’re still distracting. Your mind is off the road, and that’s all it takes for a split-second mistake. The safest bet? Set your smartwatch to 'Do Not Disturb' before you start the car.
What Can Be Done?
Experts like Rejali are calling for clearer, more consistent rules across Australia, and better education for drivers. Most people simply don’t realise the risks—or the penalties—until it’s too late.
Related story: New mobile phone laws could hit you with fines of up to $1,200—are you ready for the penalties?
Have you ever been tempted to check your smartwatch while driving? Or maybe you’ve been fined (or narrowly avoided it)? Share your stories and tips in the comments below!
Instinctively, you glance at your smartwatch—just a quick peek, right? But did you know that tiny glance could double your risk of a crash and land you with a fine that’s anything but tiny?
Depending on where you’re caught in Australia, doing this while driving could cost you anywhere from $125 to a whopping $2,000 (or even more if you end up in court)!
It’s a modern dilemma: smartwatches have become as common as mobile phones, but most Aussies have no idea that using one behind the wheel is just as risky—and just as illegal—as texting on your phone.
In fact, the rules around smartwatches are a bit of a legal minefield, with penalties and regulations varying wildly from state to state.
Why Are Smartwatches So Dangerous Behind the Wheel?
You might think a quick glance at your wrist is harmless, but research says otherwise. According to Sina Rejali, a PhD candidate and researcher at Queensland University of Technology, smartwatches can be even more distracting than mobile phones.
That’s because they demand your attention in three ways: visually (you’re not looking at the road), cognitively (your mind is on the message, not your driving), and physically (if you’re tapping or swiping, your hands aren’t where they should be).
Using a smartwatch while driving is illegal across Australia, with fines ranging from $125 in South Australia up to over $2000 in Tasmania, depending on where you’re caught. Image source: Onur Binay / Unsplash.
And it’s not just about reading a message. Even using voice commands can take your focus off the road, making it a potentially deadly distraction.
Distraction is a factor in about 16% of Australia’s serious road crashes, so it’s not something to take lightly.
The Law: A Patchwork of Penalties Across Australia
Here’s where things get tricky. There’s no single, nationwide law about smartwatches and driving. Instead, each state and territory has its own set of rules—some more severe than others. Let’s break it down:
- New South Wales (NSW): Using your smartwatch for messaging, social media, or similar while driving? That’s a no-no.
- Fines: $410 and five demerit points for mobile phone offences; $544 and three demerit points for distracted driving.
- Fines: $410 and five demerit points for mobile phone offences; $544 and three demerit points for distracted driving.
- Victoria: Same rules as mobile phones: don’t touch, text, or call on your smartwatch while driving.
- Fines: $593 and four demerit points on the spot; up to $1,976 if you contest it in court.
- Fines: $593 and four demerit points on the spot; up to $1,976 if you contest it in court.
- Queensland: Distracted by your smartwatch? You could be fined $376 (soon to be $389) for not having proper control.
- More serious? $645 (soon $667) and three demerit points for driving without due care.
- In a crash, dangerous driving charges could mean fines over $32,000 (soon $33,380) or even jail time.
In earlier news: New road rules coming in 2025: 'Drivers should be aware'
- South Australia: Using a smartwatch as a visual display unit: $125 fine. Not having proper control: $221 fine.
- Western Australia: Smartwatches must be mounted, not worn.
- Fines: $300 and three demerit points for improper mounting; $500 and three points for calls; $1,000 and four points for texting.
- Fines: $300 and three demerit points for improper mounting; $500 and three points for calls; $1,000 and four points for texting.
- Tasmania: Using a smartwatch while driving can cost you over $2,000 in fines.
- Northern Territory: Breaching visual display rules: $500 fine and three demerit points. Careless driving can mean jail time if you cause a crash.
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): Treated like mobile phones: $532 and three demerit points for use/holding; $654 and four points for messaging or social networking.
Why Are the Rules So Confusing?
The explosion in smartwatch popularity has left lawmakers scrambling to keep up.
There aren’t specific 'smartwatch laws' yet, so most states lump them in with mobile phone or 'visual display unit' rules. This patchwork approach means you could be fined a little or a lot, depending on where you’re caught.
What Counts as ‘Using’ a Smartwatch?
It’s not just about sending a text. If you’re reading notifications, checking emails, scrolling social media, or even fiddling with your watch face, you could be breaking the law. Some states even ban wearing a smartwatch unless it’s mounted and not being interacted with.
Is Voice Control Any Safer?
Voice commands might seem like a loophole, but experts warn they’re still distracting. Your mind is off the road, and that’s all it takes for a split-second mistake. The safest bet? Set your smartwatch to 'Do Not Disturb' before you start the car.
What Can Be Done?
Experts like Rejali are calling for clearer, more consistent rules across Australia, and better education for drivers. Most people simply don’t realise the risks—or the penalties—until it’s too late.
Related story: New mobile phone laws could hit you with fines of up to $1,200—are you ready for the penalties?
Have you ever been tempted to check your smartwatch while driving? Or maybe you’ve been fined (or narrowly avoided it)? Share your stories and tips in the comments below!
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