As of last week, drivers in Victoria who are caught using their mobile phones while driving will face even tougher penalties than before. The Victorian police have reminded motorists that they will be fined $433 if they are caught using their mobile phones while driving, previously the fine was just $289. Offenders will also lose 4 demerit points off their license, whereas previously they would lose just 3. According to the Victorian Police Assistant Commissioner, Robert Hill, inner city drivers have clocked the most infringements for mobile phone offences, with 7249 caught in Melbourne last financial year. He went on to explain, according to an article on www.ownerdriver.com.au

“Victoria Police will be out enforcing these new penalties, so our message to all drivers is don’t reach for the phone,” Hill says.“Just because you may be driving along a quiet rural road doesn’t mean you won’t be distracted by using a mobile phone.” VicRoads has developed a free app called Road Mode, which silences incoming calls and text messages and lets the sender/caller know the driver is driving. Source: https://www.ownerdriver.com.au/industry-news/1311/drivers-using-phones-face-stiffer-penalties

As motorists should know by now, it is illegal in all Australian states and territories to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. This includes talking, texting, playing games, taking photos/video and using any other function on your phone. Using a hand-held mobile phone is also illegal when your vehicle is stationary but not parked e.g. when you’re stopped at traffic lights. Drivers who break this law in Victoria will now face an increased on-the-spot fine, in addition to incurring four demerit points. But why is it so important that drivers do not engage in the dangerous activity of driving and using their mobile phones? On its website Vic Roads explained:

Driving is complex and challenging. A simple way to make driving safer is to reduce the number of non-driving and distracting activities you undertake while driving. Using a mobile phone while driving distracts you in many ways: Physical distraction is caused by handling the phone while driving. For example, removing your hand from the steering wheel to dial a phone number, to answer or end a call. Visual distraction is caused by the amount of time you have your eyes off the road. Cognitive distraction refers to lapses in attention and judgement. This happens when you have to perform two mental tasks at the same time. Having a conversation competes with the demands of driving, with your attention often changing from driving to the conversation. This results in unsafe driving and increases the risk of a crash.

When it comes to truck drivers the risk is even greater because a truck can cause a lot more damage and destruction than ordinary vehicles do if something were to go wrong. According to research people who use their mobile phone while driving engage in riskier decision making and also have slower reaction times. This can also result in slower and less controlled braking.  It also increases driver’s chances of wandering out of your lane and decreases a person’s alertness. People who are using their mobile phone while driving will obviously spend less time checking their mirrors and be less aware of what’s going on around them, putting them and vehicles around them as well as pedestrians at risk. More info on Chain of Responsibility Courses.