Aussies divided over infuriating road rule that many motorists want gone

Daily Mail​

a day ago

Drivers are up in arms about a road rule for P-platers in New South Wales that bans them from connecting their phones to their car's Bluetooth system.
Sydneysider Yasmine, 19, posted a TikTok last month about her experience of being pulled over for a random breath test (RBT).
She was warned that she was breaking the law by using her phone for music while it was connected via Bluetooth.
Yasmine said she saw the traffic officer notice the music was connected to her phone.
'He's like, "You do know you can't have your phone connected to Bluetooth. You can lose your licence over that." And I was like, "Sorry. It connects by itself",' she said.
The TikTok user said she swapped the music to a CD and she was then allowed to drive on.
Transport for NSW rules state that Learner, P1, and P2 drivers must not use a phone while driving or stationary, even if stopped at lights or in traffic.
'This applies to mobile phones that are handheld, in a phone holder or hands-free, for example, via Bluetooth,' the website said.
But Aussies were divided over the rule, with some arguing whether the law was even effective.
'Honestly though like surely it's worse to have the radio on with the worst songs ever made playing which is distracting as all hell,' one person said.
'I am more inclined to fiddle with the radio and CD trying to find a song that doesn't make me want to drive off a cliff than my own songs which I don't skip and let play mindlessly, never touching while driving,' another said.
A third said: 'What about navigation? Are we supposed to use a paper map?'
Others pointed out that the rule is to keep new drivers safe.
'It's your first year driving alone, you're very new to the road and need to have complete confidence and zero distractions, it's to keep y'all safe,' a user said.
'It's a safety issue. It's to prevent distraction,' another said.
'Everyone does it (myself included and I'm 33) but if you do, you need to be smart and not let it distract you and don't get caught or you can lose your licence.'
The penalty for illegal phone use is a $387 fine and five demerit points.
If someone with a learner or P1 licence is caught using their mobile phone, they will go over their demerit point limit and lose their licence on the spot.
NSW drivers, including L and P-platers, are permitted to use their mobile phone to make a payment, redeem a voucher or coupon or access a specific area as long as the vehicle is stationary and off road, for example, in a car park, drive-thru, or driveway.
The other exemption for drivers to use their phone in NSW when behind the wheel is if a police officer asks them to show a digital driver's licence.