Media Release
Victoria’s new road rules take effect Monday 9
November 2009
6
November 2009
All Victorian drivers will need to be aware of a raft of new road rules which come into
effect on Monday 9 November 2009.
Changes include how drivers can use mobile telephones and visual display units and
where they can make u-turns.
The changes also mean that children under the age of seven must be in an appropriate
child restraint. Drivers can also be fined if they have passengers not wearing a seatbelt.
The new road safety rules were first announced earlier this year. VicRoads Manager Road
User Behaviour, Antonietta Cavallo, said it was important all drivers familiarised
themselves with the new rules before Monday.
“From Monday 9 November, the changes to Victoria’s new road safety rules will apply
and VicRoads is asking drivers across Victoria to take the time to understand the new
rules if they haven’t already done so,” said Ms Cavallo.
She said drivers who fail to obey the new rules could be issued with an on-the-spot fine
of up to $300 and three demerit points. Cases which go to court or involve drink driving
could incur more severe penalties.
“It is the responsibility of all road users in Victoria to ensure they are familiar with the
new rules before they take to the road on November 9,” Ms Cavallo said.
“One of the key changes drivers will need to be familiar with is the way mobile phones
and navigation devices can be used while driving. Under the new mobile phone rule, you
cannot use a mobile phone while driving except to make or receive a call or use the
audio function, and the phone is fixed in a cradle or can be operated remotely by the
driver. To use a mobile phone as a GPS device, or a stand-alone GPS, it must be in a
cradle.
“We know that talking on a hand-held mobile while driving is reckless and increases the
risk of a crash fourfold. Texting is extremely dangerous and banned. The advice is simple
–
‘hands on the wheel, eyes on the road’,” she said.
“A driver found to be handling a mobile telephone or otherwise using it inappropriately
will face a fine of $234 and three demerit points,” said Ms Cavallo.
“It is now illegal to perform a u-turn over a single continuous dividing line. Drivers will
still be permitted to perform a u-turn over broken dividing lines. In the five year period
2004 to 2008, there were more than 1500 u-turn crashes in Victoria, resulting in 19
deaths and more than 600 serious injuries. Drivers who perform an illegal u-turn or do
not comply with changed line marking rules will face a fine of $234 and three demerit
points,” said Ms Cavallo.
“In another change that will improve safety, passengers over the age of 16 - as well as
their drivers - will face fines for failing to wear a seatbelt. This means if a passenger is
not wearing a seatbelt, both the passenger and driver could incur a fine of $234,” said
Ms Cavallo. “This rule already applies to carrying children under 16 years.”
Other new road safety rules being introduced include not allowing passengers under
eight years of age to be carried as passengers on motorcycles, and when sharing the
road with trams, a driver must not pass the rear of a stopped tram with its doors open.
Once the doors are closed and pedestrians have left the road, a driver may drive past
the tram at no more than 10km/h.
The new road rules are being introduced to improve road safety and provide greater
consistency with road rules in other Australian States and Territories.
The changes start Monday, 9 November 2009. For more information on the new road
relating to traffic offences go to www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/penalties.
-
ENDS -
MEDIA CONTACT: Bree Taylor, VicRoads: 0400 890 993 / 9854 2499 /
bree.taylor@roads.vic.gov.au
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