Most people know that double demerits come into effect over the Easter break for NSW and some other states, but lots aren't aware that using a mobile phone when driving will incur penalties.
NSW will be the most penalised state in Australia for mobile phone misuse over Easter, with drivers facing a massive 10 demerit points if caught along with a $448 fine.
With so many people unaware of the rules around using a phone when driving and the associated penalties, here is a couple of graphics from WhisteOut to help people get on top of what they can and can't do with a phone while behind the wheel - including what's allowed and what's not, and the penalties for interstate misdemeanors.
Did you know you can't use your phone in your hand when stopped in traffic, or that about only half the country applies double demerits?
Mobile phone driving offences come with fines & demerit points penalties and this is where the states and territories really differ, with some being much more lenient on offenders than others.
Let’s take a look at them:
NSW gives out the highest number of demerit points (5) for mobile phone related driving offences, which lifts to a massive 10 during double demerits periods:
- Easter 18-22 April 2019
- Anzac Day 24-28 April 2019
- Queen’s Birthday 7-10 June 2019
- Labour Day 4-7 Oct 2019
- Xmas - NYD 20 Dec 2019 - 01 Jan 2020
NSW also serves up a tougher punishment if you’re caught using a mobile phone in a school zone with the normal $337 fine lifting to $448, plus the standard 5 demerit points.
The ACT is where you could get the most severe financial penalty for misusing a mobile phone while driving. The penalty for using a mobile phone in the ACT is $470 and 3 demerit points, while you’ll rack up 4 demerit points and a $577 fine for messaging, social networking, using mobile apps or accessing the internet.
In Victoria you’ll face a $484 fine and 4 demerit points for mobile phone offences, while those offending in Western Australia will get 3 demerit points and a $400 fine.
The Northern Territory is where the authorities are most lenient on mobile phone offenders, with the lowest fine amount of $250 and 3 demerit points.
Only NSW, ACT & WA employ double demerits during holiday periods, while Queensland runs them all year round. If you have a QLD licence and offend twice within a year then the second offence doubles the standard 3 demerit points to 6, along with the normal $391 fine.
It may surprise those who don’t live there that VIC, SA, TAS & NT don’t employ double demerits at all.
In Tasmania the penalties are $326 and 3 demerit points for using a mobile phone while driving, while in South Australia you’ll cop 3 demerit points and $334.
Somebody's watching me
Earlier this year the NSW government started trialling high definition cameras in Sydney to detect people who use a phone while driving. Situated in high traffic areas the two cameras had already recorded over 20,000 people in breach of the law after just 25 days of the trial, and while caught drivers were only being issued warnings during the course of the three month trial, penalties will start being issued in April 2019.
Research suggests using a mobile phone while driving increases your risk of a crash by 400% because it can lead to riskier decision making, slower reaction times, drivers wandering out of their lanes and slower & less controlled braking, so getting on top of what is and isn't allowed will be to everyone’s benefit.
What you can and can’t do
The Australian Road Rules cover the comprehensive details on what you can and can’t do on the road, including when it comes to mobile phone use, and while there are regional differences in the penalties applied to mobile phone related offences these rules apply everywhere.
Methodology
The data used to compile the map of Australia’s Easter demerit points and penalty fines was taken from the transport departments of each state and territory government. Sources: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA.
The data used to compile the graph of driving offences with a mobile phone in NSW was taken from NSW Revenue’s 14th November 2018 record of Mobile phone notices issued by NSW police.
This is an abbreviated version of the Guide prepared by WhisteOut
