NEW road rules targeting distracted drivers will be introduced in Victoria next month.
It's already illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, and those laws will be extended to include other technology, such as smartwatches, smart glasses and tablets, as well as in-built vehicle systems and mounted devices.
Learner and probationary drivers, who are at much greater risk of being involved in a crash in their early years of driving, are not allowed to touch devices, take phone calls or use voice control unless their vehicle is parked.
Senior Constable Toby Gilmour, a member of the Swan Hill Highway Patrol unit, said some P-platers had claimed they weren't aware they were not allowed to use their phone at all.
"We're seeing it quite often that they are using them," he said.
"We advise them to put it onto flight mode or put it in their glove box and not use it.
"If they hear it ringing, pull over and stop because they're not allowed to interact with their phone at all, unless they're parked. They're not even allowed to talk through Bluetooth when they're on a probationary or learner license."
Sen-Constable Gilmour said distraction was a factor in some collisions and police always investigated it as a possibility.
"We look at people's phone records and we can access and check data usage at the time of the collision,” he said.
An awareness campaign was scheduled to educate and remind motorists of the devastating risks of distraction.
Research showed the risk of a driver crashing increases when they text, browse or email.
Distraction was involved in at least 11 per cent of fatalities – equal to 20 people each year whose death was avoidable.
Yet one-third of drivers admitted to using their mobile phone illegally while driving.
A two second glance at a device means the driver is effectively travelling blind for 28 metres at 50km/h and 55m at 100km/h.
In an emergency on a dry road, it takes 35m to stop the average family car doing 50km/h and 98m at 100km/h.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne announced the new rules earlier this week, as well as the rollout of new AI-enabled camera systems that can detect people using mobile phones and not wearing seatbelts, even in poor weather.
The new rules will bring Victoria into line with the Australian Road Rules and take effect from March 31.
Breaches will carry a $555 fine and the loss of four demerit points.
There was more information at the VicRoads website, vicroads.vic.gov.au
Driver safety tips
• If your phone has an app or function that prevents distraction while driving, use that.
• Consider putting your phone on silent and out of reach, or turn it off.
• Divert all calls to voicemail.
• Pull over safely and park before making or receiving a call.
• Plan breaks in your trip for making phone calls.
• Tell your family and friends not to call when you know you’ll be driving.
• If you are using your phone hands free, warn callers you are driving and may have to end the call.
• Don’t make calls in heavy traffic, poor road conditions or during bad weather.
• Never look up phone numbers.
• Never read or send text messages.
• Don’t use smartwatches or other similar devices.
