Vic : New GPS laws take note

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

From the Australian newspaper :

DRIVERS using mobile phones and GPS devices on their laps will fined under new Victorian laws.
From November all hand-held mobile phones and navigation devices must be fitted in a car holder or cradle.
Drivers who flout the laws will risk $234 fines, plus three demerit points for mobile phone offences.
Roads Minister Tim Pallas said the new laws were needed to catch up with advances in technology and driver behaviour.
"Talking on a hand-held mobile phone while driving is reckless and increases the risk of a crash fourfold,'' he said.
"The advice is simple - hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.''
From November, motorcyclists will be banned from carrying pillion passengers aged under eight.
It will also be illegal to overtake or carry out U-turns across single unbroken dividing lines.
In the four years to 2008, U-turns accounted for 19 deaths and more than 600 serious accidents, Mr Pallas said.
The new road safety laws bring Victoria into line with national standards.

[od_arp Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close od_arp]

Re: Vic : New GPS laws take note

I wonder how they will rule on GPS units on the windscreen. Hopefully they will allow those mounted low on the windscreen. If that is worrying them what do they do about the fluffy dice!

[MUMSRIG Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MUMSRIG]

Re: Vic : New GPS laws take note

From what I've seen the laws about using mobile phones whist driving don't seem to have much effect as it is. Everyday I'm on the road I see someone with the phone held to their ear!!

I must admit though that I am one who will push the loudspeaker button and use that as hands free. It's never in a cradle though, usually sat on the centre console area or on the lap.

I wonder how long this will take to come into effect throughout all states and territories?

Most GPS's have the bluetooth function which you can use to sync to your phone as a hands free device. I wonder how long it will be before you can be done for pushing the receive button to take the call?

Mitch

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Re: Vic : New GPS laws take note

If that is worrying them what do they do about the fluffy dice!

Already illegal I believe... (QLD anyway) Recently there was a case of a young driver being fined for having a pine tree shaped car freshener hanging from is rear view mirror.

As for GPS... currently I use the 'MAPS' feature in my Iphone as a gps for on-road (it's not very good btw...) but it's always in cradle.
And phones... doesn't everyone haggle for a free hand's free devise when they buy it? :? I do...

[tileys Member Find all posts View Profile Close tileys]

Re: Vic : New GPS laws take note

I give my mobile (bluetooth or on loudspeaker in the centre console) and GPS less attention than I give my stereo. I'm always pressing buttons on that (even with the buttons I've got on the steering wheel). I guess by this rational it's equally dangerous but not covered by the legislation... ?

The natural extension of this is that manual gearboxes become outlawed as it requires taking your hand off the wheel ? It feels like I see someone with a mobile glued to their ear everytime I go out - judging from their behaviour it's while driving an automatic as you can just keep on accelerating or going round corners with one hand permanently holding your phone to your ear.

My sister-in-law got pinged about a year ago in Sydney for pushing the button on her phone to end the call (she has it in a cradle). The policeman virtually shouted her down when she tried to explain she was using a handsfree.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Vic : New GPS laws take note

I classify myself as a mature and experienced road user. People who use a hand-held mobile phone whilst in motion are a disaster waiting to happen. Only a couple of weeks ago I had a young woman who was busily yacking away on the phone whilst driving and she sailed straight through the stop sign. Lucky for me I'm always on the lookout for such idiots and was able to avoid the potential smash.

As for GPS - this is what makes the law an ass. It's illegal (in WA) to use a hand held mobile phone but you are permitted to use a GPS. I have a Magellan triton 1500 which is window mounted. It's all very well to turn it on, programme the waypoints and routes whilst stationary but it's bloody well dangerous trying to operate the thing whilst mobile. Trying to use the little pen on the screen takes precision movement and you can't do that whilst trying to concentrate on the road.

Make them both illegal to use manually whilst mobile. Simple.

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

Re: Vic : New GPS laws take note

When the AM CB were getting popular in vehicles the law makers tried to ban them.
same story. different technology.