Mobile Phone Use While Driving in NSW, Australia

 

Hi everyone today I am writing about using a mobile phone while driving.

I think we all know that using a mobile phone while driving is a serious road safety issue not only in New South Wales but pretty much everywhere. A phone can distract a driver by taking their eyes off the road, their hands off the steering wheel, or their mind away from driving. Even looking away for a few seconds can increase the risk of missing hazards, slow reaction time, or causing a crash.

Drivers must not hold a phone in their hand or rest it on any part of their body while driving. Mobile phone detection cameras operate in NSW and can detect illegal phone use at any time. If a driver breaks the rules, they may receive a fine and demerit points, and double demerits can apply during holiday periods.

The safest choice is to avoid using a mobile phone while driving. Drivers can put their phone on silent, use “Do Not Disturb While Driving”, ask a passenger to help, or pull over and park safely before using the phone. Following these rules helps protect the driver, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and everyone else on the road.

However, the rules are stricter for learners, and those on their “P’s” these drivers must not use a mobile phone at all while driving, even when stopped at traffic lights or stuck in traffic. This includes calls, texting, music, social media, maps and hands-free use.

In NSW, “P’s” refers to provisional licence stages. A P1 driver is a new solo driver who displays red P plates, while a P2 driver is a more experienced provisional driver who displays green P plates. Both P1 and P2 drivers still have special licence conditions because they are gaining experience on the road.

Full licence holders may use a phone only in limited ways, such as hands-free voice calls or audio, or when the phone is secured in an approved holder and used for calls, audio or navigation.