Road experts slam truck drivers livestreaming themselves on TikTok while driving
Truck drivers have been caught livestreaming while driving in a trend described as ‘remarkably stupid and dangerous’, with authorities urged to act. See the videos.
National
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Exclusive: Road safety experts have slammed the behaviour of truck drivers livestreaming themselves on TikTok while behind the wheel of their heavy vehicles.
Some truck drivers from across Australia have amassed big followings on social media by livestreaming themselves, some up to several hours a day while on the road.
In the videos, some drivers appear to take their eyes off the road for several seconds to read comments from their followers, while others appear to be looking at their phone screens to answer questions.
One female truckie appears to have a “near miss” after one follower calls her out for “not checking” her side mirrors.
The same female truckie tells viewers in another clip about her new backup account after some drivers had their accounts banned for their behaviour.
“Follow my new account … I’ve seen so many people get banned and I’m currently banned and I don’t want to lose my whole platform and followers,” the woman says.
Professor in Transport Management with the Institute of Transport & Logistics Studies at Sydney University Dr Stephen Greaves said distracted driving has become as dangerous, if not more dangerous – than drink driving.
“With trucks, in about two thirds of crashes they’re linking the driver not being focused on the road to something happening, which may be a combination of other things,” Prof Greaves said from Sydney University said.
“Truck drivers are spending a lot of time on the road and are getting a bit bored and they’re on apps like TikTok because they’re getting away with it the majority of the time.
“But trucks have less time to react and the consequences of distracted driving are much greater because you can’t stop as quickly and if you hit another car they’re usually going to come off a lot worse,” Prof Greaves said.
There were at least 185 fatalities involving heavy trucks in 2022 – an increase by nearly nine per cent from the previous year.
And driver distraction is a contributing factor in an alarming 71 per cent of truck accidents.
Distracted drivers caught using electronic devices while behind the wheel in Victoria will be the target of new road rules which came into effect week, with motorists slapped with a $555 fine and four demerit points, with that fine more than tripling to $1849 if the matter is heard in court.
Under the new rules, drivers will not be able to change a song on their phone, accept or reject phone calls or use navigation on a range of devices.
In other states fines for using a mobile phone while driving range from $360 to more than $1000 and a loss of up to four demerit points in some states.
“It just beggars belief that people who are driving heavy vehicles on long distance roads and at times well over 100km/h kilometre high speed roads think this is legal,” NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said.
“It’s remarkably stupid and dangerous, and should not be tolerated. There’s an enormous responsibility that comes with being a heavy vehicle driver and using TikTok is just the height of irresponsibility.
“No one should rely on the NRMA or anyone else to have to tell them that using TikTok while they’re driving is terribly stupid.”
Peter Frazer, whose daughter Sarah was hit and killed by a distracted truck driver, said most people don’t realise the life-destroying consequences that driver distraction can cause.
He founded Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) shortly after her death in 2012 to fight for safer roads and better driver behaviour.
“Everyone has a right to get home safe to their loved ones every day, without exception. Our family has never gotten over the death of our daughter,” he said.
“And the behaviour that we now see on roads when people are distracted with things like their mobile phones is becoming one of the major issues causing deaths and serious injury in our nation.
“No one should be on their phone let alone on things such as Tik Tok. Our position is to leave your phone alone, end of story. We will be pushing with governments around the country to ensure that they stop.”
LAWS BY EACH STATE
VICTORIA
Distracted drivers in Victoria will be the target of new road rules set to come into effect on March 31, which will see motorists slapped with $555 fine and four demerit points, with that fine more than tripling to $1849 if the matter is heard in court.
Under the new rules, drivers will not be able to change a song on their phone, accept or reject phone calls or use navigation on a range of devices.
Drivers who hold a full licence will be banned from touching an unmounted portable device, such as a phone – even if it is off – while their vehicle is in motion.
Video calls, including group video calls, live streaming and reading messages are not allowed under either the current rules or the new rules.
For all device types including portable, mounted, in-built and motorcycle helmets you cannot while driving:
- enter text, numbers or symbols
- scroll (such as on websites, social media, playlists)
- play videos or games or take video calls
- display text messages, social media, emails, or photos
- rest a device on any part of the body (pocket allowed) or pass a device to a passenger.
NSW
In NSW, drivers caught on camera illegally using their phones will cop a $362 fine and five demerit points — 10 points during double demerit periods.
In a phone holder – you can only use and touch your phone to make or receive calls, play music and use navigation apps.
A driver must not use a mobile phone while driving for any other function. This includes, but not limited to, texting, video calls, emailing, social media (e.g. Tik Tok), using the internet, photography (which can include livestreaming).
If a driver wants to use their phone for any of the above, including livestreaming on Tik Tok, the vehicle must be parked and not just sitting in traffic.
QUEENSLAND
Queensland drivers caught using their mobile phone face a $1,078 fine and four demerit points — some of the harshest penalties in the country.
Full licence drivers can touch mobile phones that are in a cradle that’s attached to a vehicle for accepting/making calls, using navigation apps or skipping songs. If you want to use it, but it’s not in a cradle, you must use it hands-free
Livestreaming while driving using a mobile phone in a cradle can attract fines of up to $575 and three demerit points.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Drivers in South Australia caught using their phone face a $534 fine and three demerit points.
You can make a phone call, dial a number and receive a phone call while driving if the phone is mounted.
If the phone isn’t mounted and being used via bluetooth, a headset or earphones then you can make or receive a phone call, as long as you are not touching the phone or having it rest on your body.
It’s illegal create, send or look at a text message or email, enter or place anything into the phone or send or look at anything that is on the phone, video call or video message.
TASMANIA
Tasmanian drivers caught using their phones face a $346 fine and three demerit points.
You can use a mobile phone for phone calls as long as it’s secured in a holder that’s fixed to the vehicle or it’s operable without the need to touch the device.
GPS and navigation apps can also be used through your smartphone while behind the wheel, along with audio functions, but only if the phone is in a secure mount.
Everything else is restricted.
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Originally published as Road experts slam truck drivers livestreaming themselves on TikTok while driving
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