WA raise mobile phone fines while driving up to $1,000 as of July 1st.
Possum3 said
09:29 AM Feb 16, 2020
The challenge to make WA roads safe is always on-going and the latest step is that under the new legislation from July 1st, drivers will have to pay $1,000 and receive 4 demerit points for using their mobile phone.
The WA Government has announced tough new, two-tiered penalties for drivers caught using mobile phones illegally on WA roads. The top tier will be $1,000 and 4 demerit points for actively engaging their mobile phones (texting, watching video, website or using social media). This is considered to be a major offence.
In the past five years more than 77,000 drivers were caught by WA police using a mobile phone.
For those drivers caught touching or holding their phones to make a call is considered less of an offence. However, the fine will still cost drivers $500 fine and 3 demerit points.
Santa said
09:35 AM Feb 16, 2020
Good stuff, penalty should be automatic loss of license.
Relax-n said
09:48 AM Feb 16, 2020
Hope it helps.
Query, if they (insurance co and police) use dash cam footage (some private) to assist with crimes and catching people, surely they can do the same for people on mobiles as well as overloaded vehicles, unrestrained children etc. Even if is used to give warnings or milder fines.
The amount of people that would then assist and help police, I think, would be so beneficial to the public. And also help get theses thoughtless people off the road.
Just my thoughts.......
Hetho said
09:51 AM Feb 16, 2020
I agree with Santa, I don't know why they are waiting for July 1. Do it now.
yobarr said
10:41 AM Feb 16, 2020
Hetho wrote:
I agree with Santa, I don't know why they are waiting for July 1. Do it now.
Queensland already has such a law,I believe.I spend a lot of time on the road,and the number of people blatantly holding their phones to their ears whilst driving is frightening,not to mention the numberi of clowns veering all over the road,texting whilst travelling at 100km/hr on the freeway.Cheers
Greg 1 said
11:00 AM Feb 16, 2020
Good stuff. Totally agree with this.
Cupie said
11:54 AM Feb 16, 2020
yobarr wrote:
Hetho wrote:
I agree with Santa, I don't know why they are waiting for July 1. Do it now.
Queensland already has such a law,I believe.I spend a lot of time on the road,and the number of people blatantly holding their phones to their ears whilst driving is frightening,not to mention the numberi of clowns veering all over the road,texting whilst travelling at 100km/hr on the freeway.Cheers
Agree 100%.
Fortunately I have voice controlled handsfree in the Mazda & SWMBO in the Patrol.
-- Edited by Cupie on Sunday 16th of February 2020 11:55:11 AM
-- Edited by Cupie on Sunday 16th of February 2020 11:55:36 AM
Bryan said
12:40 PM Feb 16, 2020
Good start.
Now raise penalty for drunk driving, driving under the influence of drugs, hooning and other general bad behaviour.
boab said
01:08 PM Feb 16, 2020
What penalty for using a 2 way or talking to a passenger while driving with 1 hand scratching your ear or checking a gps which may be on your phone . Texting and watching videos while driving should be instant loss of license. I think driving around with a hot cup of coffee on your lap is just as bad as talking on a cell phone
Whenarewethere said
02:10 PM Feb 16, 2020
You can use a 2 way & use stand alone GPS. I have a Garmin for that reason.
Not allowed to have a coffee on your lap.
I do remember decades ago in England a Jaguar owner was pulled over for "interesting" driving. He had a drinks dispenser in the dash board. Gin, tonic & scotch which was pressurized from the boot.
It would have been wiser to do cappuccinos!
Eaglemax said
02:45 PM Feb 16, 2020
Talking about alternative or additional penalties many years ago I wrote to Vicpol to suggest a new penalty. The concept was that drivers would also have their drivers license and the registration of the vehicle driven, temporarily suspended for 2 hours.
The purpose is for some serious think time punishing them more by not simply allowed to continue on with their journey immediately. There are many individuals that are not affected by fines.
My suggestion was rejected partially on the grounds that there was an element of imprisonment with forcing the offender not to remain mobile.
My thoughts were... if they want to leave the car they have legs
Tony
cjt55 said
03:10 PM Feb 16, 2020
Lets get rid of the States then it will be one rule for all. But this is good news.
$1000? It won't deter idiots. Make it $10,000 I say, and a meaningful period of licence loss.
blaze said
04:30 PM Feb 16, 2020
better off policing and enforcing the laws we have
cheers
blaze
yobarr said
04:36 PM Feb 16, 2020
SouthernComfort wrote:
$1000? It won't deter idiots. Make it $10,000 I say, and a meaningful period of licence loss.
The idea has merit,but unfortunately wouldn't work.With the general disregard of,and the lack of respect for,authority by so many people these days,already there are large numbers of drivers who have no licence,some of these having lost their licences through non-payment of fines. I dont know the answer,but immediate loss of the car,or the phone,or both,would certainly get people talking! Maybe the general lack of respect for authority is the root cause! Who knows? Cheers
elliemike said
06:41 PM Feb 16, 2020
Using a mounted GPS unit is OK while driving.
Touching your GPS to press buttons or adjust it is not.
Taxi drivers seem to be plugging in details on their GPS all the time while driving.
I suppose it's the same with CB Radio, OK to use but do not adjust while driving.
Hurls said
09:46 PM Feb 16, 2020
Hoons lose their cars. Why aren't phones taken for a set period. 24hrs 1st, 1 week second offence. Third offence destroyed. That will hurt more than fines.
Greg 1 said
01:05 PM Feb 17, 2020
Driving whilst suspended or no license should be a mandatory jail sentence in my view. In driving they are not insured and in many states the 3rd party injury insurance is null and void so they are risking everyone else's wellbeing.
Mike Harding said
01:32 PM Feb 17, 2020
Are you all quite sure you would not prefer offenders were executed on the spot?
Santa said
02:36 PM Feb 17, 2020
Mike Harding wrote:
Are you all quite sure you would not prefer offenders were executed on the spot?
Now there's a thought.
Hylife said
03:09 PM Feb 17, 2020
A little bit of sensationalising the headlines there.
There is no fine for using a mobile phone anywhere in Australia unless you are driving as a Red P plater.
The offence relates specifically to holding a mobile phone in your hand whilst driving a vehicle (there is very clear definitions as to what constitutes driving).
So, unless you have a proper phone holder or Bluetooth system you must be parked off the road with the engine off before you pick up that mobile phone even if you are not making or receiving a call.
JackoFJR said
03:13 PM Feb 17, 2020
Get serious about drink driving - 000 for everyone
Possum3 said
03:17 PM Feb 17, 2020
Hylife wrote:
There is no fine for using a mobile phone anywhere in Australia unless you are driving as a Red P plater.
The offence relates specifically to holding a mobile phone in your hand whilst driving a vehicle (there is very clear definitions as to what constitutes driving).
Regulation 300-1 of the Road Rules 2014 provides the rules for Learner and Provisional Licence Holders. The rule states: The driver of a vehicle (except an emergency vehicle or a Police vehicle) who is the holder of a learner licence or a provisional P1 or P2 licence must not use a mobile phone, whether or not held by a driver, while the vehicle is moving or is stationary but not parked.
In contrast to Regulation 300, set out above, the only exemption provided for this rule is for Police or emergency vehicles.
The effect of this is that Learner and Provisional Licence Holders cannot use Bluetooth or hands free functions on their phone. Furthermore, they cannot use their phone as a navigational tool, as the use of their phones in that way will still constitute an offence under these provisions.
These new provisions for Learner and Provisional Licence holders, whilst came into force in 2017, make mobile phone offences much more onerous for Learner and Provisional Licence holders.
Penalties
The penalties for using a mobile phone increased on 1 September 2018. For all licence holders, a ticket for using a mobile phone whilst driving comes with a fine and five (5) demerit points. For Learner and Provisional 1 licence holders, this is more than your entire allocation of demerit points.
The double demerit point scheme applies to mobile phone offences. That means if you are issued a ticket for using a mobile phone whilst driving during a double demerit period, ten (10) demerit points will be applied to your licence. For all Learner and Provisional licence holders, this is more than your entire allocation of demerit points.
Eaglemax said
05:19 PM Feb 17, 2020
Good write up possum,
My only concern is- emergency services can use a mobile phone while driving.
I was a CFA volunteer fire truck driver for 12 years. So if I still was, I would be permitted to use my phone while driving a 5-10 ton truck with up to 4 colleagues some in the rear without seat belts.
Get my point? I assume volunteer firefighters dont get special training on how to use their phone while driving so isnt the purpose of the law to reduce risks?
An emergency fire truck has lights and sirens, the worst possible time for a driver to juggle a mobile phone yet it seem legal
Tony
Possum3 said
06:24 PM Feb 17, 2020
Eaglemax wrote:
I assume volunteer firefighters dont get special training on how to use their phone while driving so isnt the purpose of the law to reduce risks? An emergency fire truck has lights and sirens, the worst possible time for a driver to juggle a mobile phone yet it seem legal Tony
Tony, Ambulance, Fire Brigades, RFS, SES and Police are taught how to drive their vehicles and part of that training specifically covers communications and all communication devices. At times they must utilise cellular phones as they need to contact someone with other than radio, this happens often when privacy is a major concern, such as talking to others about fatalities and injuries in critical incidents, talking to other members of their unit discussing methodology of rescues, criminal offenders and apprehension tactics, etc.
Those members of Emergency Services are only too aware of the consequences of inattention on the road and mobile phone usage. They are reminded daily, by the carnage that they attend.
Mike Harding said
07:08 PM Feb 17, 2020
Possum3 wrote:
Eaglemax wrote:
I assume volunteer firefighters dont get special training on how to use their phone while driving so isnt the purpose of the law to reduce risks? An emergency fire truck has lights and sirens, the worst possible time for a driver to juggle a mobile phone yet it seem legal Tony
Tony, Ambulance, Fire Brigades, RFS, SES and Police are taught how to drive their vehicles and part of that training specifically covers communications and all communication devices. At times they must utilise cellular phones as they need to contact someone with other than radio, this happens often when privacy is a major concern, such as talking to others about fatalities and injuries in critical incidents, talking to other members of their unit discussing methodology of rescues, criminal offenders and apprehension tactics, etc.
Those members of Emergency Services are only too aware of the consequences of inattention on the road and mobile phone usage. They are reminded daily, by the carnage that they attend.
Ah! So police officers, firemen and ambulance people have superhuman skills in this area - I didn't know that.
Santa said
07:25 PM Feb 17, 2020
Some threads bring to mind this classic Monty Python sketch, this is certainly one of em.
Mike Harding said
07:30 PM Feb 17, 2020
Santa wrote:
Some threads bring to mind this classic Monty Python sketch, this is certainly one of em.
Kind of depends whether you can put your money where your mouth is....
I've always felt if one is going to take a public stance one should be prepared to defend it... perhaps you don't feel that is necessary?
Eaglemax said
01:59 PM Feb 18, 2020
Possum wrote
Those members of Emergency Services are only too aware of the consequences of inattention on the road and mobile phone usage. They are reminded daily, by the carnage that they attend
Perhaps you didnt read my comment that Ive had 12 years as an active member of the CFA of Victoria and never taught to use my mobile phone whilst driving. Maybe its changed since 2004 when last a member.
Mike makes the point Im making- what makes these emergency workers super human to be capable of safely using a mobile phone whilst driving? What course do they do? Possum, if you joined your local fire brigade and when driving the fire truck you were able to use your mobile phone when lights and sirens were activated, why would that be ok when you would be breaking the law when they werent activated eg when not an emergency vehicle?
Tony
The challenge to make WA roads safe is always on-going and the latest step is that under the new legislation from July 1st, drivers will have to pay $1,000 and receive 4 demerit points for using their mobile phone.
The WA Government has announced tough new, two-tiered penalties for drivers caught using mobile phones illegally on WA roads. The top tier will be $1,000 and 4 demerit points for actively engaging their mobile phones (texting, watching video, website or using social media). This is considered to be a major offence.
For those drivers caught touching or holding their phones to make a call is considered less of an offence. However, the fine will still cost drivers $500 fine and 3 demerit points.
Good stuff, penalty should be automatic loss of license.
Hope it helps.
Query, if they (insurance co and police) use dash cam footage (some private) to assist with crimes and catching people, surely they can do the same for people on mobiles as well as overloaded vehicles, unrestrained children etc. Even if is used to give warnings or milder fines.
The amount of people that would then assist and help police, I think, would be so beneficial to the public. And also help get theses thoughtless people off the road.
Just my thoughts.......
I agree with Santa, I don't know why they are waiting for July 1. Do it now.
Queensland already has such a law,I believe.I spend a lot of time on the road,and the number of people blatantly holding their phones to their ears whilst driving is frightening,not to mention the numberi of clowns veering all over the road,texting whilst travelling at 100km/hr on the freeway.Cheers
Agree 100%.
Fortunately I have voice controlled handsfree in the Mazda & SWMBO in the Patrol.
-- Edited by Cupie on Sunday 16th of February 2020 11:55:11 AM
-- Edited by Cupie on Sunday 16th of February 2020 11:55:36 AM
Good start.
Now raise penalty for drunk driving, driving under the influence of drugs, hooning and other general bad behaviour.
You can use a 2 way & use stand alone GPS. I have a Garmin for that reason.
Not allowed to have a coffee on your lap.
I do remember decades ago in England a Jaguar owner was pulled over for "interesting" driving. He had a drinks dispenser in the dash board. Gin, tonic & scotch which was pressurized from the boot.
It would have been wiser to do cappuccinos!
Do try and keep a sense of proportion:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_in_Australia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motor_vehicle_deaths_in_Australia_by_year
cheers
blaze
The idea has merit,but unfortunately wouldn't work.With the general disregard of,and the lack of respect for,authority by so many people these days,already there are large numbers of drivers who have no licence,some of these having lost their licences through non-payment of fines. I dont know the answer,but immediate loss of the car,or the phone,or both,would certainly get people talking! Maybe the general lack of respect for authority is the root cause! Who knows? Cheers
Using a mounted GPS unit is OK while driving.
Touching your GPS to press buttons or adjust it is not.
Taxi drivers seem to be plugging in details on their GPS all the time while driving.
I suppose it's the same with CB Radio, OK to use but do not adjust while driving.
Are you all quite sure you would not prefer offenders were executed on the spot?
Now there's a thought.
A little bit of sensationalising the headlines there.
There is no fine for using a mobile phone anywhere in Australia unless you are driving as a Red P plater.
The offence relates specifically to holding a mobile phone in your hand whilst driving a vehicle (there is very clear definitions as to what constitutes driving).
So, unless you have a proper phone holder or Bluetooth system you must be parked off the road with the engine off before you pick up that mobile phone even if you are not making or receiving a call.
Regulation 300-1 of the Road Rules 2014 provides the rules for Learner and Provisional Licence Holders. The rule states: The driver of a vehicle (except an emergency vehicle or a Police vehicle) who is the holder of a learner licence or a provisional P1 or P2 licence must not use a mobile phone, whether or not held by a driver, while the vehicle is moving or is stationary but not parked.
In contrast to Regulation 300, set out above, the only exemption provided for this rule is for Police or emergency vehicles.
The effect of this is that Learner and Provisional Licence Holders cannot use Bluetooth or hands free functions on their phone. Furthermore, they cannot use their phone as a navigational tool, as the use of their phones in that way will still constitute an offence under these provisions.
These new provisions for Learner and Provisional Licence holders, whilst came into force in 2017, make mobile phone offences much more onerous for Learner and Provisional Licence holders.
Penalties
The penalties for using a mobile phone increased on 1 September 2018. For all licence holders, a ticket for using a mobile phone whilst driving comes with a fine and five (5) demerit points. For Learner and Provisional 1 licence holders, this is more than your entire allocation of demerit points.
The double demerit point scheme applies to mobile phone offences. That means if you are issued a ticket for using a mobile phone whilst driving during a double demerit period, ten (10) demerit points will be applied to your licence. For all Learner and Provisional licence holders, this is more than your entire allocation of demerit points.
Tony, Ambulance, Fire Brigades, RFS, SES and Police are taught how to drive their vehicles and part of that training specifically covers communications and all communication devices. At times they must utilise cellular phones as they need to contact someone with other than radio, this happens often when privacy is a major concern, such as talking to others about fatalities and injuries in critical incidents, talking to other members of their unit discussing methodology of rescues, criminal offenders and apprehension tactics, etc.
Those members of Emergency Services are only too aware of the consequences of inattention on the road and mobile phone usage. They are reminded daily, by the carnage that they attend.
Ah! So police officers, firemen and ambulance people have superhuman skills in this area - I didn't know that.
Some threads bring to mind this classic Monty Python sketch, this is certainly one of em.
Kind of depends whether you can put your money where your mouth is....
I've always felt if one is going to take a public stance one should be prepared to defend it... perhaps you don't feel that is necessary?