New road rules targeting distracted drivers in force in Victoria

New road rules are now in force for millions of Aussies in one state, with drivers facing a massive $555 fine if they are caught breaking them.

From today distracted drivers in Victoria are facing 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.

These 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.

“You must pull over and park to change a song or enter a different address. You are not permitted to touch a mounted device for any purpose during a drive,” VicRoads said.

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.

Cyclists, electric scooter riders, skateboarders, rollerbladers, and those using electric vehicle transporters are also subject to the new rules.

However, those required to interact with a device while driving for work purposes are excused from some rules under the provision it’s a professional driving task.

This includes allowing rideshare, taxi or delivery drivers to accept or reject a job, permitting freight and bus drivers to gather information about upcoming jobs and the use of devices to maintain safety and security of passengers or cargo while driving.

– with Rebecca Borg