Latest news with #drivinglaws
News.com.au
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Little-known road rule landing Aussies $2k fines
Aussie motorists have been warned of one seemingly minor driving habit that could cost them thousands of dollars in fines. Significant penalties apply to those who flout the lesser-known road rule of leaving your car unlocked or your windows down after parking. However, there is one group of motorists exempt from the rules concerning unlocked doors and window security. In most states, there's a '3-metre rule' that dictates how far you can stray from your parked car without locking it. Essentially, if you move more than 3m away, you must lock your vehicle and secure the windows. Failure to do so could result in a fine. And let's be honest; almost everyone's been guilty of leaving their car unsecured while going for that quick coffee run or dash into a shop, often without a second thought. While leaving your car unlocked may seem a harmless oversight, there's a very good reason for the 3m rule. Improving vehicle security helps prevent car theft and dishonest insurance claims, such as when a vehicle is left unlocked intentionally and a claim is made for an alleged theft. Astor Legal's principal lawyer Avinash Singh explains: 'The reasoning behind the law is to prevent cars from being stolen and then used in more serious crimes,' he said. 'The use of allegedly stolen vehicles making it difficult for police to track down the offenders.' Here is everything you need to know about this often-overlooked rule. New South Wales In NSW, it is illegal to leave a running car unlocked or with a minor inside while unattended. Additionally, drivers must not leave their vehicle unattended with the windows down unless the gap is two centimetres or less. The fine is $114, but if the case goes to court, penalties can reach up to $2200. Queensland In QLD, it's illegal to leave your car unlocked when unattended. Similarly to NSW, you can't leave your vehicle unattended with the windows down unless there is a gap of five centimetres or less. The maximum penalty is $3096, with a fine of $2669 if the car is unlocked with the keys inside. Victoria In Victoria, it is an offence to leave your vehicle unattended without properly securing it, which includes ensuring all windows are fully closed and the car is locked. The on-the-spot fine is $117, with court penalties approaching $600. Western Australia WA follows similar rules to other states regarding vehicle security: you must ensure the doors and windows are secured when leaving your car unattended. The fine for failing to do so is $50. However, there's a stipulation that if you're going to pay for parking, you don't need to lock the car and put the windows up. Tasmania In Tasmania, it's the law to switch off the car, remove the key from the ignition, and ensure that no minors (under 16) are left in the vehicle when unattended. The rules also specify that the doors must be locked and the windows secured (defined as closed or open by up to 2 centimetres). The maximum penalty for leaving your car unlocked is just under $200. Australian Capital Territory In the ACT, you must secure your car when leaving it unattended, ensuring the windows are closed and the doors are locked. Failure to comply can result in a significant fine: 20 penalty units or $3200. Where is South Australia? South Australia is the only state that does not have this law. Regulation 23 of the Road Traffic (Road Rules — Ancillary and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2014 explicitly exempts drivers in South Australia from needing to lock their doors if away from their vehicle.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Suspended G1 driver charged again for driving alone in northern Ont.
Thunder Bay police charged a suspended G1 driver for driving alone when their licence was suspended for previously driving unaccompanied. A novice driver in Thunder Bay is facing new charges after allegedly being caught driving alone with a suspended G1 licence – in what would mark at least the second time they have been stopped for the same offence. Thunder Bay Police Service traffic unit An undated image of a Thunder Bay Police Service traffic unit vehicle. (Thunder Bay Police Service/Facebook) Police confirmed in a brief telephone interview with CTV News that the incident occurred last week but did not release further details. In a social media post on Sunday, the Thunder Bay Police Service said that the driver was pulled over while unaccompanied, despite already being under suspension for a prior charge of driving alone with a G1 licence. New charges include driving unaccompanied with a G1 licence and driving under suspension. The vehicle was impounded for seven days, and the driver faces a future court appearance with, according to police, a minimum $1,000 fine and a six-month licence suspension for driving while suspended. Under Ontario's graduated licensing system, G1 drivers must be accompanied by a fully licensed driver with at least four years of experience and cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. Repeat violations can lead to escalating penalties, including fines and extended suspensions. 'These rules are in place to ensure drivers are competent and safe before being alone on the road,' the police service said in its post.
CBS News
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Pennsylvania law banning handheld devices while driving takes effect in June
New law banning cellphone use while driving in Pennsylvania takes effect in June New law banning cellphone use while driving in Pennsylvania takes effect in June New law banning cellphone use while driving in Pennsylvania takes effect in June If you're traveling this Memorial Day weekend, Pennsylvania State Police and AAA want drivers to practice following a new rule of the road that takes effect soon. Paul Miller's Law in Pennsylvania A new law called Paul Miller's Law is putting the brakes on a bad habit. Starting June 5, it'll be illegal to use your cellphone and other electronics while driving. "No body part can maintain that phone. So, it's not just holding it. I know a lot of drivers put their phone on their lap, and that's going to be illegal here in a couple weeks," said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Rocco Gagliardi. "You are still not allowed to pull up that device at a red light, stuck in traffic. That law is very lengthy and real specific," Gagliardi said. "If you want to make that phone call, if you want to be on that phone, you want to play your mobile app, whatever it is, pull off into a parking lot, on a shoulder of the road, you can put your hazards on," he added. Trooper Gagliardi said if you have your phone mounted in your car, you are allowed to accept the call with one push of a button. Texting while driving is already illegal in Pennsylvania. What is Paul Miller's Law? The law is named after Paul Miller Jr., who was killed in a crash in Monroe County after a tractor-trailer driver reached for their phone while driving. Drivers KDKA spoke with in Pittsburgh on Friday said they're on board with the law. "You can't see the road and your phone at the same time," said Kimari Coker. "I've almost gotten into an accident because people aren't paying attention on the road and they're on their phones," said Terry Thomas. "It'll encourage more safety within the community and make sure everyone's being held responsible for their actions," said Jack Forsythe. The state police and AAA have spent a lot of time educating people about the dangers of distracted driving and the new rules. "You take your eyes off the road for a couple of seconds, it's like driving the length of a football field with a blindfold on," said Jim Garrity, director of public affairs of AAA East Central. Now it's time for enforcement. "If someone is using a GPS and they don't have a holder to place it," said Jasmine Harrington, "how are they going to know if it's in your hand?" For the first year, the penalty is a written warning. Then, starting June 5, 2026, it's a summary offense with a $50 fine, as well as court costs and other fees. "We're going to be looking for it, and we're going to have to take that enforcement action," Trooper Gagliardi said. There is an exception in the law. Drivers are allowed to use their phones in an emergency to call law enforcement or other emergency services.
Times
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Times
Can I make and receive calls on my smartwatch while driving?
Q. I know I'm not allowed to use or even touch my mobile phone while I'm driving. But can I make and receive calls on my smartwatch? CB, NorthamptonThe law does permit you to use a mobile phone while driving so long as it is not held in your hand at any point during the call. And also provided it does not adversely affect the way you drive. A smartwatch enjoys exactly the same status as a mobile phone. You can use it legally subject to the same proviso. Typically, the watch would be on your wrist and not in your hand, and therefore would not fall foul of the law provided it responds to voice commands such as 'Answer' or 'Take the call'.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Can you legally use your phone in the car if it is mounted?
Aussie drivers who want to avoid copping a fine exceeding $1,000 in one state have been reminded when and if they can use their mobile phone while driving. Motorists can still be fined for touching their phones even if the device is secured in a cradle that has been mounted to the dashboard. The rules on mounted phones use vary by state and territory but one thing nearly all, expect Victoria, have in common is that P1 and learner drivers are banned from using a mounted phone for any reason. Green P-platers in Queensland, SA, WA, and Tasmania are allowed to have their phones in a cradle but must follow the rules for fully-licensed drivers. The rules for each state and territory, along with penalties differ. Here, Daily Mail Australia has provided a comprehensive guide to how you can avoid a hefty fine. New South Wales In NSW, phone holders must be commercially manufactured, fixed to the vehicle and must not obscure a driver's vision. Fully licensed drivers can use and touch their phones while its in a phone holder to make and receive calls, play audio, or for navigation purposes. But drivers will be fined $410 if they're caught using their phone to text or watch videos while its in the holder and they're in motion. The fine jumps to $544 and five demerit points if the offence is in a school zone. Victoria According to the Transport Victoria 'drivers with a full licence can use a mobile phone or device to make or receive a phone call, use audio and music functions, use GPS navigation, or use in-built driver assistance or vehicle safety features'. But the device has to be 'properly mounted or in-built to the vehicle'. Learners and P-platers can use a phone for audio and GPS if the phone is mounted in a commercially designed cradle and is untouched while the car is moving. Drivers holding any license can't text, scroll, or watch videos while driving. The fine in Victoria is $593 and four demerit points. Queensland In Queensland, drivers with an open or P2 licence can touch their phone for hands-free use if the phone is in a cradle attached to the car. Hands-free use also includes accepting a call, using navigation tools, skipping a song or accepting or ending a trip as a rideshare driver. A mobile phone must not obscure the driver's view of the road. The penalties are stricter on the Sunshine State where drivers are fined $1,209 and four lost demerit points for misusing a phone while driving. Western Australia In WA, a phone in a cradle can only be touched to make, receive or end a call. 'It is illegal for all drivers to create, send or look at a text message, video message, email or similar, even if the phone is mounted in a cradle or can be operating without touching it,' Transport WA states. Even if the phone is mounted, dictating a text through Siri could still get a driver fined. WA's laws also forbid touching a phone to skipping a song or adjusting navigation. Drivers can be hit with a $500 fine and three demerit points if they're caught touching their phone. But if a motorist is creating, sending or viewing a message, email, or social post, the penalty goes up to $1,000 and another demerit point. South Australia In SA, a phone can only be used to make or receive a phone call, excluding email, text or video messages, as long as the phone is secured in a mounting device to the vehicle or being operated remotely. Unlike other states, drivers can't touch their phone to skip a song, change a podcast, or adjust navigation, even if it's sitting in a legal cradle. Breaking the rules is a $556 fine with an additional $102 Victims of Crime Levy, and three demerit points. In 2024, mobile phone detection cameras in the state generated nearly $7million from 10,000 fines in 30 days, according to a report from Tasmania The Transport Tasmania website states that 'using a mobile phone while driving is banned except to make or receive a phone call provided the phone is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle; or can be operated by the driver without touching any part of the phone'. All other purposes including video calls, texting and emailing are banned but accepting, declining, and making a phone call is allowed if the mobile is in the cradle. Drivers caught using their phone face a $390 fine and three demerit points. ACT In the ACT, fully licenced drivers can play music, use GPS, and make or receive phone calls, but only if the phone is secured in a cradle mount or connected to Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto. Drivers can make and receive phone calls on a full licence 'if your mobile device is mounted to the vehicle using a mobile phone holder or connected via Bluetooth or wired connection (such as CarPlay or Android Auto)'. Drivers in the ACT can touch their phones when it is secured in a cradle to make or receive calls but for no other reason. If caught using a phone for anything else, motorists can be slapped with a $654 fine and four demerit points. Northern Territory In the NT, drivers can only use a mobile phone while driving to make or receive an audio phone call or as a driver's aid if the phone is secured in a cradle or if it can be operated by the driver without touching any part of the phone. Drivers can touch their phones when making or receiving a phone call or operating GPS, but texting, watching videos, and video calling are forbidden.
