Are you aware of the lesser-known road rules drivers should be abiding by?

If not, then we suggest you pay attention, as the penalty for breaking certain rules can be quite hefty!

According to a recent warning from the National Roads and Motorists' Association Limited (NRMA), drivers can be fined up to $344 and be hit with a three-demerit point penalty if their passengers distract them by using their mobile phones.

Yes, you read that correctly – as long as the phone's 'visual display' is visible to the driver, and they were caught looking at it, you could be in trouble.

Even worse, breaking this rule in school zones carries a heftier penalty of $457 and four demerit points! Ouch.

Drivers can get fined for ‘distracted driving’ because of their passenger. Credit: Unsplash/David Emrich.

While it's common knowledge that you shouldn't use your phone when driving, it looks like it's not just the obvious no-nos (like using your phone for calls, texting, checking emails, or playing games) that you need to be aware of.

Straining your neck to view what's on your passenger's phone is enough to get you on the wrong side of the law and be fined if you're pulled over by the police.

And that's not all! Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads has also warned that you could receive a $575 fine and three demerit points if you're caught eating or drinking while driving - as it can cause a 'serious distraction to drivers'.

There are three Australian Road Rules relating to driver distraction, with minor variations in each state and territory.

Road Rule 297 states: 'A driver must not operate a vehicle unless the driver has proper control of the vehicle.'

Road Safety Road Rule 299 states: 'A driver must not drive a vehicle that has a television receiver or visual display unit operating if the screen is visible to the driver or is likely to distract another driver.'

Road Rule 300 states: 'The driver of a vehicle must not use a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving unless:

• the phone is being used to make an audio call and the body of the phone is affixed to the vehicle or does not require the driver to press anything on the phone or manipulate any part of the phone; or
• the phone is being used as a driver's aid and the body of the phone is affixed to the vehicle and the phone does not require the driver to press anything on the phone or manipulate any part of the phone; or
• the vehicle is an emergency vehicle or a police vehicle; or
• the driver is exempt from this rule under another law.'

Key Takeaways

• Australian drivers could face significant fines and demerit points if they are caught with a 'distracting' passenger while driving.
• Breaking this rule in a school zone comes with an even higher fine of $457 and a loss of four demerits.

So please, members, bear this all in mind and stay vigilant. Distractions of any kind can be extremely dangerous, so always keep your eyes on the road and leave using your mobile phone (whether you're the driver or the passenger) until it’s safe.

As always, we encourage our readers to drive safely and be aware of their surroundings all the time. Stay safe out there on the roads!

What do you think of this rule? Let us know in the comments!

 

[DavidEsplin]

I turn my phone off before driving, also I don't drink and drive because I spill to much.

I don't drink Drive because it's a laundry detergent.

 

[Macarj]

How could drivers not know that?

 

[Andrew]

Are you aware of the lesser-known road rules drivers should be abiding by?

If not, then we suggest you pay attention, as the penalty for breaking certain rules can be quite hefty!

According to a recent warning from the National Roads and Motorists' Association Limited (NRMA), drivers can be fined up to $344 and be hit with a three-demerit point penalty if their passengers distract them by using their mobile phones.

Yes, you read that correctly – as long as the phone's 'visual display' is visible to the driver, and they were caught looking at it, you could be in trouble.

Even worse, breaking this rule in school zones carries a heftier penalty of $457 and four demerit points! Ouch.

View attachment 10689

Drivers can get fined for ‘distracted driving’ because of their passenger. Credit: Unsplash/David Emrich.

While it's common knowledge that you shouldn't use your phone when driving, it looks like it's not just the obvious no-nos (like using your phone for calls, texting, checking emails, or playing games) that you need to be aware of.

Straining your neck to view what's on your passenger's phone is enough to get you on the wrong side of the law and be fined if you're pulled over by the police.

And that's not all! Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads has also warned that you could receive a $575 fine and three demerit points if you're caught eating or drinking while driving - as it can cause a 'serious distraction to drivers'.

There are three Australian Road Rules relating to driver distraction, with minor variations in each state and territory.

Road Rule 297 states: 'A driver must not operate a vehicle unless the driver has proper control of the vehicle.'

Road Safety Road Rule 299 states: 'A driver must not drive a vehicle that has a television receiver or visual display unit operating if the screen is visible to the driver or is likely to distract another driver.'

Road Rule 300 states: 'The driver of a vehicle must not use a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving unless:

• the phone is being used to make an audio call and the body of the phone is affixed to the vehicle or does not require the driver to press anything on the phone or manipulate any part of the phone; or
• the phone is being used as a driver's aid and the body of the phone is affixed to the vehicle and the phone does not require the driver to press anything on the phone or manipulate any part of the phone; or
• the vehicle is an emergency vehicle or a police vehicle; or
• the driver is exempt from this rule under another law.'

Key Takeaways

• Australian drivers could face significant fines and demerit points if they are caught with a 'distracting' passenger while driving.
• Breaking this rule in a school zone comes with an even higher fine of $457 and a loss of four demerits.

So please, members, bear this all in mind and stay vigilant. Distractions of any kind can be extremely dangerous, so always keep your eyes on the road and leave using your mobile phone (whether you're the driver or the passenger) until it’s safe.

As always, we encourage our readers to drive safely and be aware of their surroundings all the time. Stay safe out there on the roads!

What do you think of this rule? Let us know in the comments!

You can literally get with murder, but do anything wrong in a car and you face a hefty fine and loss of points. Real criminals don't pay!. Motorists do!.

 

[GrumpPa]

Are you aware of the lesser-known road rules drivers should be abiding by?

If not, then we suggest you pay attention, as the penalty for breaking certain rules can be quite hefty!

According to a recent warning from the National Roads and Motorists' Association Limited (NRMA), drivers can be fined up to $344 and be hit with a three-demerit point penalty if their passengers distract them by using their mobile phones.

Yes, you read that correctly – as long as the phone's 'visual display' is visible to the driver, and they were caught looking at it, you could be in trouble.

Even worse, breaking this rule in school zones carries a heftier penalty of $457 and four demerit points! Ouch.

View attachment 10689

Drivers can get fined for ‘distracted driving’ because of their passenger. Credit: Unsplash/David Emrich.

While it's common knowledge that you shouldn't use your phone when driving, it looks like it's not just the obvious no-nos (like using your phone for calls, texting, checking emails, or playing games) that you need to be aware of.

Straining your neck to view what's on your passenger's phone is enough to get you on the wrong side of the law and be fined if you're pulled over by the police.

And that's not all! Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads has also warned that you could receive a $575 fine and three demerit points if you're caught eating or drinking while driving - as it can cause a 'serious distraction to drivers'.

There are three Australian Road Rules relating to driver distraction, with minor variations in each state and territory.

Road Rule 297 states: 'A driver must not operate a vehicle unless the driver has proper control of the vehicle.'

Road Safety Road Rule 299 states: 'A driver must not drive a vehicle that has a television receiver or visual display unit operating if the screen is visible to the driver or is likely to distract another driver.'

Road Rule 300 states: 'The driver of a vehicle must not use a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving unless:

• the phone is being used to make an audio call and the body of the phone is affixed to the vehicle or does not require the driver to press anything on the phone or manipulate any part of the phone; or
• the phone is being used as a driver's aid and the body of the phone is affixed to the vehicle and the phone does not require the driver to press anything on the phone or manipulate any part of the phone; or
• the vehicle is an emergency vehicle or a police vehicle; or
• the driver is exempt from this rule under another law.'

Key Takeaways

• Australian drivers could face significant fines and demerit points if they are caught with a 'distracting' passenger while driving.
• Breaking this rule in a school zone comes with an even higher fine of $457 and a loss of four demerits.

So please, members, bear this all in mind and stay vigilant. Distractions of any kind can be extremely dangerous, so always keep your eyes on the road and leave using your mobile phone (whether you're the driver or the passenger) until it’s safe.

As always, we encourage our readers to drive safely and be aware of their surroundings all the time. Stay safe out there on the roads!

What do you think of this rule? Let us know in the comments!

A fine line between right & wrong.
A passenger cannot hold the phone for the driver, yet a phone bracket on a front vent or windscreen is ok. A video could be playing on the phone or a FaceTime call could be in progress. Feel sorry for the police trying to police these wishy washy ‘rules’. Are CB radios still legal?

 

[Maurie7]

as i wrote in comments a while ago, police, and emergenct vehicles can use mobile phones and \ or 2-way radios while dring a vehicle, and so too can truck drivers, but not the common driver. one rule should apply to ALL vehicle drivers not a "select" few be allowed to not abide by the rules. police are there to enforce the rules yet are allowed to break the rules themselves. listening to the radio or cd in the vehicle is just as distracting and so is changing radio stations, AND I even go as far as saying that even just talking to someone in the vehicle is just as distracting as you are listening to that person speak and you are distracting you mind from driving in order to hear what is said and what you will reply

Legally truck drivers are not supposed to use cb/uhf radios while driving. I have no problem with emergency services using them.

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

My husband has carried his phone in his breast pocket with his glasses ever since mobile phones came on the market, a lifetime habit is hard to break, I am constantly taking his phone from his pocket.We are becoming a Nanny State.

Too late - we are a Nanny State

 

[Defiant540]

What is the fine for driving a car with the steering wheel on the left side of the vehicle, on the right side of the street, as shown in the image above?

left hand drive in Queensland I believe

 

[Tipsy]

My husband has carried his phone in his breast pocket with his glasses ever since mobile phones came on the market, a lifetime habit is hard to break, I am constantly taking his phone from his pocket.We are becoming a Nanny State.

its called control and revenue raising with all these little silly rules.... A phone in ones pocket is not being used per-se. but maybe turning the bloody thing off would be much simpler....

 

[JedCorella]

While we are on the subject what about all the distracting billboards along the highway???

Great point. We are bombarded with all sorts of visual distractions on the road. What about road signs that are partially covered by vegetation?

 

[JedCorella]

My husband has carried his phone in his breast pocket with his glasses ever since mobile phones came on the market, a lifetime habit is hard to break, I am constantly taking his phone from his pocket.We are becoming a Nanny State.

Not becoming a nanny state. We are one. It's all about control and it's slowly being rolled out but like the frog in hot water we won't pay much attention to it before it's too late. Just remember when governments increase their control and power they never relinquish it. Two weeks to flatten the curve. Does that ring a bell??

 

[rondad]

Are you aware of the lesser-known road rules drivers should be abiding by?

If not, then we suggest you pay attention, as the penalty for breaking certain rules can be quite hefty!

According to a recent warning from the National Roads and Motorists' Association Limited (NRMA), drivers can be fined up to $344 and be hit with a three-demerit point penalty if their passengers distract them by using their mobile phones.

Yes, you read that correctly – as long as the phone's 'visual display' is visible to the driver, and they were caught looking at it, you could be in trouble.

Even worse, breaking this rule in school zones carries a heftier penalty of $457 and four demerit points! Ouch.

View attachment 10689

Drivers can get fined for ‘distracted driving’ because of their passenger. Credit: Unsplash/David Emrich.

While it's common knowledge that you shouldn't use your phone when driving, it looks like it's not just the obvious no-nos (like using your phone for calls, texting, checking emails, or playing games) that you need to be aware of.

Straining your neck to view what's on your passenger's phone is enough to get you on the wrong side of the law and be fined if you're pulled over by the police.

And that's not all! Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads has also warned that you could receive a $575 fine and three demerit points if you're caught eating or drinking while driving - as it can cause a 'serious distraction to drivers'.

There are three Australian Road Rules relating to driver distraction, with minor variations in each state and territory.

Road Rule 297 states: 'A driver must not operate a vehicle unless the driver has proper control of the vehicle.'

Road Safety Road Rule 299 states: 'A driver must not drive a vehicle that has a television receiver or visual display unit operating if the screen is visible to the driver or is likely to distract another driver.'

Road Rule 300 states: 'The driver of a vehicle must not use a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving unless:

• the phone is being used to make an audio call and the body of the phone is affixed to the vehicle or does not require the driver to press anything on the phone or manipulate any part of the phone; or
• the phone is being used as a driver's aid and the body of the phone is affixed to the vehicle and the phone does not require the driver to press anything on the phone or manipulate any part of the phone; or
• the vehicle is an emergency vehicle or a police vehicle; or
• the driver is exempt from this rule under another law.'

Key Takeaways

• Australian drivers could face significant fines and demerit points if they are caught with a 'distracting' passenger while driving.
• Breaking this rule in a school zone comes with an even higher fine of $457 and a loss of four demerits.

So please, members, bear this all in mind and stay vigilant. Distractions of any kind can be extremely dangerous, so always keep your eyes on the road and leave using your mobile phone (whether you're the driver or the passenger) until it’s safe.

As always, we encourage our readers to drive safely and be aware of their surroundings all the time. Stay safe out there on the roads!

What do you think of this rule? Let us know in the comments!

its a bit over the top if you can,t take a swig of water or a bite of food whilst driving.