Queensland drivers may face regular tests to keep licence

After a horror year on Australian roads, one state is considering a major change to its driver’s licence tests - and many Aussies aren’t happy.

The Queensland Government is reportedly considering a move to make drivers re-sit their driving test at their licence renewal to improve driver safety.

It comes after the Sunshine State recorded 299 fatalities in 2022 – a 13-year high.

According to a Courier Mail report, Queensland’s Transport Minister Mark Bailey is expected to announce a suite of changes to combat poor driving.

Queenslanders may be faced with questions like these each time they renew their licence.

It comes after the state had a grim 2022 with a record-high 299 road fatalities recorded.

As well as the requirement to re-sit tests, immediate roadside licence suspensions for drivers caught travelling more than 40km/h over the speed limit have also been flagged.

According to the report, all drivers would be required to partake in “refreshers” on road rules, including tests, a video, or an information pamphlet.

Mr Bailey told the Courier Mail the measures had been drawn up in response to a road safety roundtable.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey is expected to announce a suite of changes. Picture: Dan Peled/NCA NewsWire

“We saw too many fatal crashes last year where speed was a contributing factor, and so we’ll be looking at a harsher penalty for high-range speeding offences,” he said.

“Another issue raised was driver education, and so we’ll look at a potential road rule refresher when people go to renew their licence.

“Thankfully, we are off to a far better start to the year on our roads in 2023, but we know how quickly that can change, which is why we need to do all we can to make our roads safer.”

However, Queenslanders were sceptical, with many online saying it was unfair on responsible drivers.

All drivers would be required to have road rule refreshers, including tests, a video, or an information pamphlet in order to keep their Queensland driver’s licence.

Others thought the proposal represented another way for the Queensland Government to raise money, though it has not yet been specified if there will be any extra charges for the proposed changes.

“No doubt there’s another fee attached to that. Just because someone can recite the rules does not mean they will actually follow them,” one person said on social media.

“The group of drivers that need to be retested are the ones that have lost their licence for one reason or another … alcohol, drugs, [demerit] points,” another wrote.

Queenslanders are sceptical about the proposal, suggesting alternatives such as increasing police presence on the roads. Picture: Valerie Horton

“Yet again punishing the vast majority for the failures of the irresponsible,” one person said.

“How to tax without taxing,” another wrote.

Others suggested alternate ways to improve Queensland’s road safety.

“Increase the number of police on the road,” one said.

“A good idea – maybe every year until you’re off your P plates, then every five years until age 70 years,” wrote another.

New road rules targeting distracted drivers in force in Victoria

As of late March, distracted drivers in Victoria face new road rules that carry a $555 fine and four demerit points, with the change aimed at reducing the number of tragic deaths happening on the state’s roads.

In 2022, 240 people tragically died on Victorian roads in 2022, an increase from the 233 deaths the year before year. Of those people, 27 per cent were not wearing seatbelts.

The new road rules, which came into effect on March 31, aim to help combat some leading causes, like distracted drivers and people not bothering to buckle up.

Road safety upgrades are also underway to curb the rising death toll on Victorian roads. Picture: Alice Barker.

Police on scene on the Eastern freeway where a police car has been rammed. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Crosling

One of the most significant changes is having phone and seatbelt detection cameras rolled out for the state’s 6.6 million residents. They’ll be placed in spots with a high number of accidents.

The camera’s are AI-generated, but a human looks over any flagged photos of drivers caught breaking the rules.

The cameras aim to detect distracted drivers that are not wearing a seatbelt or using their mobile phones

Drivers with unrestricted licences can still use in-built entertainment systems for all the usual things, like listening to music, using a navigator or to answer or decline incoming phone calls.

“For mobile phones and tablets, the mounting must be commercially designed and manufactured for that purpose, and the device must be secured in the mounting,” VicRoads said.

“As a general rule, drivers can use their mounted or in-built systems for functions such as music and navigation, provided they are not entering text, scrolling or viewing images or video.”

Similar rules also apply for wearable devices however taking calls, playing music and adjusting volume is only permitted if using voice controls.

Meanwhile, motorbike riders who have helmet devices can only operate them while riding if the action involves touching the device briefly or using voice commands.

Mobile detection cameras are already used in NSW. Picture: David Swift.

The cameras can catch out drivers using their mobile phones. Picture: 9 NEWS

Meanwhile L and P plate drivers face even stricter rules.

They cannot operate portable devices including for phone calls and navigation or use voice controls to operate any device, even having a device rested in their laps is now unlawful.

Motorbike riders on a restricted licence can only use helmet devices to play music or provide directions, with these functions to be set up prior to the journey.

Drivers caught using a mobile phone or any other device while driving can cop a $555 fine and four demerit points.

This can jump up to $1849 if the matter goes to court.

Meanwhile those on L and P-plates will lose their licence if they accumulate more than four demerit points in a year.

While the new rules are now in effect, drivers will be given a three-month warning period before infringement notices will be handed down.

– with Jack Evans. Mary Madigan, Rebecca Borg

Originally published as Queensland drivers may face regular tests to keep licence