New laws for
L’s and P1’s.
The use of hand-held mobile phones while
driving was banned in Victoria back in 1998 and
the penalty is a substantial fine and the loss of
three demerit points.
Now the law has changed for learners and P1
drivers. As part of the new Graduated Licensing
System the use of mobile phones of any kind,
hand-held or hands-free, is banned. This is because
their use can be so dangerous, especially for less
experienced drivers.
What should you do?
The best option is to turn off your phone before you
start driving.
Should you receive a call while driving, let it go through
to voice mail or, if you simply must take it, pull over safely
to the side of the road and park so you can concentrate
solely on the one task.
If you absolutely feel you have to make mobile phone
calls while driving make sure you use one of the hands-free
technologies available. Even then, it’s wise to steer clear
of emotional or difficult conversations and avoid making
calls in bad weather and complex traffic situations. You’ll
make the roads safer for everyone.
On the phone? Get off the road.
Let’s talk
mobile phones
and driving.
You can’t concentrate
on two things at once.
The trouble with mobile phones is that they demand
some of the concentration that is needed for driving. And
when two things require equal concentration, one will suffer.
When the two things are talking on a mobile phone and
driving, it’s inevitably the driving that suffers. That’s why it’s
both dangerous and illegal.
Isn’t it the same as
talking to a passenger?
You may think there’s no difference between talking to a
passenger and talking on the phone.
There is.
Should there be something on the road requiring the
driver to increase their concentration, the conversation with
the passenger will inevitably break off for a moment.
But the person on the other end of the mobile will carry
on regardless. They can’t see what’s happening on the road,
and the ongoing conversation will demand the driver’s
attention at the expense of their driving.
The results can be disastrous.
Four times the risk.
Research from around the world is conclusive. You have
four times the risk of being involved in a crash when using
a mobile phone when driving.
It’s risky because using a mobile phone can reduce your
reaction times and compromise your ability to maintain your
speed and position on
the road.
It also makes it hard
to judge safe gaps in
the traffic and you are
much less aware of
what the traffic
around you is doing.
Hands-free
means hands-free.
It’s illegal to touch a mobile phone while in charge of
a vehicle and the police will fine drivers who use mobile
phones; the penalty is a loss of three demerit points plus
the fine.
Remember it’s also illegal to use a mobile phone while
waiting at traffic lights or in congestion. You must be parked
safely before using a mobile phone while in the car.
The only phone that it is legal for fully-licensed drivers to
use while driving is one that does not require the phone to
be touched in any way to operate it.
There are a number of hands-free technologies available,
such as Bluetooth headsets and cradles installed near
the dashboard.
It’s also a good idea to consider a mobile phone with
voice recognition so you can dial without using your hands.
Having your phone on speaker mode while holding it is
not hands-free and is also illegal.