Central Coast News

Brush up your knowledge of mobile phone use rules below.

Learner and provisional P1 (red Ps) drivers and motorcyclists

Learners and provisional P1 licence holders are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving or riding. This includes when waiting at traffic lights or stuck in traffic. You must be parked out of the line of traffic to use your phone in any way.

These laws encourage learner and P1 drivers and riders to concentrate on developing their vehicle control and hazard-perception skills. Mobile phone use can distract novice drivers and riders from the driving task.

From 22 January 2016, learner and P1 drivers and riders penalised for illegally using a mobile phone (four demerit points) will exceed their demerit point threshold and face a three-month licence suspension.

Fully Licensed and Provisional P2 (green Ps) drivers and motorcyclists, and all Bicycle Riders

While driving or riding you CAN use your mobile phone:

• To make or answer a call or to use the audio playing function (e.g. music) ONLY of the phone is either in a cradle fixed to the vehicle and doesn't obscure your view of the road OR can be operated without touching any part of the phone such as via Bluetooth or voice activation.
• As a driver's aid (e.g. navigation, Speed Advisor app) ONLY if the phone is in a cradle fixed to the vehicle and doesn't obscure your view of the road.

While driving or riding you CANNOT use your mobile phone for anything else including:

• Texting or audio texting
• Emailing
• Using social media
• Taking photos
• Video messaging
• Holding your phone in any way (in hand, on lap, between shoulder and ear). Drivers are only allowed to hold a phone to pass it to a passenger.

If you want to use your phone for any of these functions, your vehicle must be parked out of the line of traffic

These functions are not permitted when your vehicle is stopped, including when waiting at traffic lights or stuck in traffic

Remember:  Legal use of mobile phones can also be distracting. Consider if it is important and the demands of the traffic before using your mobile. The safest option is often to wait until you are parked out of the line of traffic.

Penalties

Drivers who break these rules face fines and could lose their licence through demerit point penalties:

• From the 2015 Christmas holidays, mobile phone offences will be included in double demerit periods
• From 22 January 2016, offenders will accumulate an extra demerit point for illegally using their mobile phone, up from three points to four points