Queensland motorists to be banned from holding phones on their laps

A tough new road rule has been implemented to stop mobile phone use by Queensland motorists, meaning drivers who put their phone here will face a fine... even if it’s turned off.

Queensland motorists will be banned from placing mobile phones on their laps while behind the wheel under tough new rules to stamp out distracted driving on the state’s roads.

Ahead of new cameras being rolled out to detect motorists using their phones while driving, the government will introduce new rules to clarify when a mobile can be used.

Under the shake-up, drivers will be banned from resting a mobile on any part of their body, such as their lap, and will not be allowed to hold it in their hand regardless of whether the device is on.

Assistant Commissioner Ben Marcus. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

This includes passing the mobile to passengers in the car.

But the new regulations will make it clear that mobile phones can be used while a vehicle is stationary to pay for goods and services, such as at a drive-through.

They can also be used to present a digital licence to police.

Open and P2 drivers will still be able to use their mobile phone while hands-free, such as when it is in a cradle, for tasks like accepting phone calls or using navigation apps.

Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing and Regional Support Command, Ben Marcus, said people were “so connected to their phones that we need to break that connection”.

“You’re either driving your car or you’re using your phone,” he said.

“You’re not doing both.

A picture taken during a trial of the new cameras that will detect people using their mobile phones while driving. Picture: supplied.

“Later this month, if it’s in your hand, on your lap, if you have that phone connected to you and you’re driving, you’re committing an offence.

“And I’d ask all of you to think of the number of times you’ve been in traffic and the lights have gone green in front of you and the vehicle immediately in front of you hasn’t worked it out because they’re on their phone”.

The new rules are expected to come into effect from July 26 – the same date that hi-tech cameras will be deployed to the state’s roads to catch out drivers flouting mobile phone rules.

The new cameras will initially dish out warnings to those busted breaking the rules, before issuing hefty $1033 fines from November 1.