Drivers caught illegally using their phones while driving in New South Wales will cop five demerit points.
As of September 2018 the new laws will be felt by motorists, including motorcyclists and truck drivers, caught using their phone while driving by any means other than it being in a fixed cradle or operated using hands-free options.
NSW roads, maritime and freight minister Melinda Pavey believes tougher penalties will dissuade drivers from dangerous distraction.
“We have already introduced legislation to enable camera-based technology so it can be used to enforce mobile phone offences in the future,” she says in a statement.
“We know from a recent RMS survey that 74% of the community support a crackdown on illegal phone use behind the wheel.
We all see it and the community has had enough,” Pavey says.
The harsher reprimand for phone use is part of the NSW government’s Road Safety Plan 2021, which will also include changes aimed at reducing the risk of people driving under the influence of drugs.
Doctors will be given stricter, more concise guidelines on reporting affected patients to licensing authorities.
Drivers will be additionally reminded of the dangers and repercussions of driving while impaired by medication, including the classification as a traffic offense.
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