NSW: New laws make touching mobile phones while driving illegal

[AWD Chaser]

http://www.news.com.au/national/new-...-1226499224587

HANDS free will mean exactly that under new laws to make touching a mobile phone while driving illegal.
Under the changes drivers will only be able to use mobiles that are mounted to the car.
The new changes also rule out the growing practice of using mobiles on loud speaker while it rests on your lap.
Motorists will have less than two weeks to break the habit of using their phones on the move, with the changes to come into effect on November 1.
“Holding your phone while talking and driving is already illegal but these changes will mean you cannot touch the phone unless it is mounted,” Centre for Road Safety's Marg Prendergast said.
“Using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous, because it slows reaction times and increases the chance of having a crash.”

Ms Prendergast said a hands-free device reduced the physical effort to make and receive calls.
“The best thing to do is stay off your phone while driving – it can wait,” Ms Prendergast said.
“If you must talk on a hands-free phone while driving keep the conversation short.”
The new laws are part of a raft of changes to the NSW Road Rules that also include new rules for using roundabouts, overtaking, giving way to pedestrians and changes for the heavy vehicle industry.
The penalty for using your phone is 3 demerit points and a $298 fine, or 4 points and a $397 fine if caught in a school zone.
All other functions including texting, video messaging, online chatting, reading preview messages and emailing are also not allowed.

RTA: 2012 Changes to road rules
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/usingroads...rules_2012.pdf

[mcnews]

Still okay to put your lipstick on, eat Maca's etc. no doubt though...

[Smoke Pursuit]

Yep... havent been allowed to touch it for a long time in QLD....

[Tobey]

The legislation currently reads "Use hand-held mobile device". So even if you hold it on loudspeaker it is still illegal.

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Yep... havent been allowed to touch it for a long time in QLD....

Yea always thought that too... you cant pick it up to look at the clock (as an excuse for example).

A lot of aftermarket CD players these days have bluetooth (as well as factory), so if you plan to up grade your CD player keep that in mind.

Still okay to put your lipstick on, eat Maca's etc. no doubt though...

of course they are... having a greasy burger drop into your lap isnt as distracting.

[Burnout]

Some poor souls in Qld have been fined for sitting in their car on the side of the road, talking on the phone. When approached they have had the keys still in the ignition...... and 'bingo' $333.00 on the spot.

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Originally Posted by Burnout

Some poor souls in Qld have been fined for sitting in their car on the side of the road, talking on the phone. When approached they have had the keys still in the ignition...... and 'bingo' $333.00 on the spot.

I've had to pull over on the side of the highway to take urgent mobile phone calls (before bluetooth etc) and I would argue it's safer to keep the car running than stop, turn the car off, sit like a duck on the side of the road than it is to have the car in park with the engine running.

Total lunacy in my humble opinion, people doing (for all intent and purpose) the RIGHT things getting caught out by the revenue police.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Burnout

Some poor souls in Qld have been fined for sitting in their car on the side of the road, talking on the phone. When approached they have had the keys still in the ignition...... and 'bingo' $333.00 on the spot.

Yep I got pinged 2 years ago for getting it out of my pocket to put it on charge at a set of lights.... Silly me.... I gave mr pol pol a good run for his money tho, wasted 6 months of time backwards and forwards with paperwork.

He said if I had a cradle in the car I would have gotten away with it :S

[2011G6E]

Thank christ for the Bluetooth connectivity in the G6E we have then...

I do agree though...can it really not wait five minutes to pull over somewhere and answer it or wait until later and ring back...?

[FGII-XR6]

it was already illegal to do anything with a hand held phone in nsw they have just clarifyed the law a bit leaving no room for doubt
for public passenger vehicles it is more strict
no bluetooth either but their regulations allow you to be in the driver seat with engine running provided the vehicle is secured by park brake
http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/site...or-comment.pdf

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

He said if I had a cradle in the car I would have gotten away with it :S

So how does actually having the phone attached to the car make it any safer? Youre still using the phone. Makes no sense to me.

Luckily the new ute sits higher than most HWP cars

[FGII-XR6]

and why are police exempt ? if it's unsafe it's unsafe for all. they may argue they are trained to do it safely, then where can the same training be done by the general public. putting on a uniform doesn't make them magically able to use a phone safely while driving

Originally Posted by b2tf

So how does actually having the phone attached to the car make it any safer? Youre still using the phone. Makes no sense to me.

Luckily the new ute sits higher than most HWP cars

[blueoval]

the cops have to use a CB radio to call into despatch no doubt, how is this any different, or is there a separate set of rules for them?

[mike_nofx]

So while its in a cradle can you read and reply to text messages?

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

So while its in a cradle can you read and reply to text messages?

ah.... no

[robbyj]

if i was pulled over to the side of the road on a call, and they pinged me i would be absolutely fuming! your doing the right thing by pulling over, what difference does keys in the ignition make?

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Yea always thought that too... you cant pick it up to look at the clock (as an excuse for example).

i had to pick up my phone the other day to check the clock as i was in a school zone, still had 2 minutes until the school time was over (so i slowed down of course) but that would have been a nasty fine and hard to explain.

[EDManual]

i would say its safer to hold your phone than try and reach out and watch and touch it in a cradle! Stupid rule. Completely ban it or not is the way.

[Mercury 8]

Wouldn't have the issue if it was in a Ford Focus! Voice recognition?Maybe it"s a good thing! Your the voice try and understand it...........

[99AUXR]

Originally Posted by robbyj

if i was pulled over to the side of the road on a call, and they pinged me i would be absolutely fuming! your doing the right thing by pulling over, what difference does keys in the ignition make?

Agreed, one fine I wouldnt be paying

[GTPete]

If its in a cradle its a lot safer then having your phone lying loose on your lap or on the passenger seat etc. With a cradle at least its secure and you wont be distracted trying to find the phone or by looking down at the seat to see whos calling you.
So the cradle requirement solves part of the distraction issue.
Mounting the cradle reasonably high on the dash just under your line of sight is a good move.

[falconnut]

Welp time to get a bluetooth adapter, thanks for the heads up mates.

[brydie76]

Sorry, but really confused here- what about the fully integrated Bluetooth systems? Eg with my Fezza if I get a call I just hit the button on my radio/steering wheel. Am I still allowed to use that to answer calls, dial, etc with the phone unsecured? (it is usually with in my bag or charging on the cable in the cup holders, no way in hell am I getting a cradle!)

Sorry, local new ran a story last night and they made it sound like the above scenario would not be allowed either, which is ridiculous. Mind you, local news said as well that if your phone is in a cradle, you can touch it to answer calls, but not to make any. Seems a bit odd?

[roberts]

“Using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous, because it slows reaction times and increases the chance of having a crash.”

“Using a indicator while driving is dangerous, because it slows reaction times and increases the chance of having a crash.”
“Using a seat belt while driving is dangerous, because it slows reaction times and increases the chance of having a crash.”
“Using a mega phone while driving is dangerous, because it slows reaction times and increases the chance of having a crash.
“Using your hands while driving is dangerous, because it slows reaction times and increases the chance of having a crash.”
“Using a horn while driving is dangerous, because it slows reaction times and increases the chance of having a crash.”
“Using a gearstick while driving is dangerous, because it slows reaction times and increases the chance of having a crash.”
“Using a watch while driving is dangerous, because it slows reaction times and increases the chance of having a crash.”
“Using a mirror while driving is dangerous, because it slows reaction times and increases the chance of having a crash.”

im sure there is more but my point is everything in life is dangerous, give me danger, freedom, natural selection, choice and gardian angels over this instutution anyday.

[lockieoc]

Originally Posted by mcnews

Still okay to put your lipstick on, eat Maca's etc. no doubt though...

Nope, they're all illegal to do as well.

[Yellow_Festiva]

If I pulled the sim from my phone, rendering it useless as a communication device and used it as a music player / torch / GPS / voice recorder would that then be ok seeing as it's no longer a 'phone'?

This is getting sooo bloody stupid to be honest..... Any cop who fines somone for talking on the phone while parked is a ...... Oh bum, got to follow the T&C ....

[AWD Chaser]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

If I pulled the sim from my phone, rendering it useless as a communication device and used it as a music player / torch / GPS / voice recorder would that then be ok seeing as it's no longer a 'phone'?

How does removing a SIM card magically transform your phone into something else? Its still a phone, and thats what they will fine you for - using a mobile phone while driving

But I understand the point your making...

[Tomo1972]

Originally Posted by AWD Chaser

How does removing a SIM card magically transform your phone into something else? Its still a phone, and thats what they will fine you for - using a mobile phone while driving

But I understand the point your making...

Originally Posted by Rockape

Wow i want that car. I need a better paying job.

Originally Posted by FPV8U

I'm assuming it has #17 on it for the launch and will be returned to #18 for the race?

Technically speakingif it doesnt have a sim, it cant make a call so it in no longer a phone.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Tomo1972

Technically speakingif it doesnt have a sim, it cant make a call so it in no longer a phone.

So if I took the bullets out of my rifle that it is no longer a gun so I don't need to register it or keep it in a secure location........yep that will be a good defense.

And you can make calls without a SIM. 112 works on all phones and all networks.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Tomo1972

Technically speakingif it doesnt have a sim, it cant make a call so it in no longer a phone.

Originally Posted by JPFS1

Nice touch

Actually, technically speaking, it's a handheld device that is illegal. Not a "phone".

[blueoval]

Political correctness will make it illegal for a driver entering a vehicle for fear of a crash. Ridiculous