Mobile Phone Fines

[TER2BO]

Ouch!
My Daughter just got fined $405 and 6 Dermit points for just picking up her phone whilst stationary to see if she had any messages.
She did not use it just looked at the main screen and put it straight back down. The Vic. Police agreed that it was what they saw but the LAW is the LAW.
I see heaps of drivers younger than me every day talking ,messaging and the latest is 'Facebook 'Etc. I agree that it is very dangerous.

But once again there is no discretion ,or warning just meeting $$$ or quotas.

[PHANTMXR6]

Rubbish. Do the crime do the time. Simple.

How hard is it to leave the phone alone until you get out of the car?

I see so many heads looking down while pulled up at lights it's extremely discouraging.

If you do it stationary, what's stopping you from doing it while moving?

Until the message sinks in fine away I say. People will learn eventually...

[Trump]

The cops have discretion, but in this instance it sounds like plod wanted to make an example of her.

My concern with the mobile phone laws is that police are exempt from them. That's where the outrage should be as there is no training in the world that would make the driver safe whilst bleating on the phone.

Make the law a blanket one and leave any communications to the passenger cop.

[sprintman1]

Guilty as charged. Should be watching what's going on around her not her dumpphone screen

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

The cops have discretion, but in this instance it sounds like plod wanted to make an example of her.

My concern with the mobile phone laws is that police are exempt from them. That's where the outrage should be as there is no training in the world that would make the driver safe whilst bleating on the phone.

Make the law a blanket one and leave any communications to the passenger cop.

Not only phones but they get to carry guns. Not fair I want to carry.

Some important phone calls would be taken by the police. Not everything can go over the radio

[Trump]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

Not only phones but they get to carry guns. Not fair I want to carry.

Some important phone calls would be taken by the police. Not everything can go over the radio

That's what the offsider in the passenger seat is for. Like I said, there isn't any training regimen that can make them safe behind the wheel whilst holding a phone and speaking into it.

[xxx000]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

That's what the offsider in the passenger seat is for. Like I said, there isn't any training regimen that can make them safe behind the wheel whilst holding a phone and speaking into it.

and if they're one up like HWP during the day?

or if the message or info is for the driver not the offsider?

[Trump]

Originally Posted by xxx000

and if they're one up like HWP during the day?

or if the message or info is for the driver not the offsider?

They can install hands-free kits or heaven forbid, use the built-in Bluetooth connectivity for when they're one-up. And I'm pretty sure the offsider would be smart enough to relay said message to the driver or advise the caller that he or she is driving. Are you serious? Do you really think they have some special training which removes the risk they pose to themselves and other roads users if using a phone???

[olfella]

Originally Posted by xxx000

and if they're one up like HWP during the day?

or if the message or info is for the driver not the offsider?

If you read all the posts in this thread then you would not need to say anything. Look at post #13 - it says it all

[MR REKLAW]

Originally Posted by xxx000

and if they're one up like HWP during the day?

or if the message or info is for the driver not the offsider?

Well if they are one up,all relevant info is sent to smart screen,mounted in said vehicle,no need for mobile phone.

Inquiry made over radio,info sent to screen,but that does require,taking eyes of road,so still not perfect.

I believe some electronics mob,have built a heads up device for,mobile phones.

No you don't have to touch the phone,but you still have to divert your attention,to look at display, the only time,this type of tech is ok,is if your a fighter pilot,locking on to enemy target, not driving a vehicle on a busy road,fighter pilots don't have to bother about changing lanes or on ramp traffic,you the driver of the car do.

It is quite simple,if you don't own a business,turn the bloody phone off,before driving off,or if it is that you need be contacted 24/7,then buy a hands free kit.

405 dollar fine,would buy a top end,hands free kit.

I don't see the logic, in owning a $800+ dollar phone and being tight fisted enough,not to get hands free kit.

Some people just have to learn the hard way,usually at some one else's expense.

[Shonky.]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

Some important phone calls would be taken by the police. Not everything can go over the radio

Originally Posted by xxx000

and if they're one up like HWP during the day?

or if the message or info is for the driver not the offsider?

so why is police work deemed important enough for a freebie and not other occupations?

I know plenty of people who do more meaningful work that helps people, society, and the economy more than a cop, so where is their exemption?

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by Shonky.

so why is police work deemed important enough for a freebie and not other occupations?

I know plenty of people who do more meaningful work that helps people, society, and the economy more than a cop, so where is their exemption?

the same reason you call the police for crimes about to happen or have happened and not your supermarket checkout chick!

some people want cops to have no powers, normally they are the ones who do things that has cops knowing them by name.

[Shonky.]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

the same reason you call the police for crimes about to happen or have happened and not your supermarket checkout chick!

Mate, we all buy groceries so the check out chick has a role to play too.

But let's use someone with a job that has greater scope for impact

How about a surgeon, they save more lives than a cop, so should they be exempt from laws that permit driving and using the phone? What if they're driving and need to walk a colleague through something complex that they did themselves last week.

How about a board member of the RBA, they are making decisions that will make or break our economy, yet still no mobile phone exemption

To be very clear I am not undermining the importance of police, and the work they do, but I believe they undermine the importance of everyone else's occupation when they expect special privilege

[Blue Shadow]

Originally Posted by Shonky.

Mate, we all buy groceries so the check out chick has a role to play too.

But let's use someone with a job that has greater scope for impact

How about a surgeon, they save more lives than a cop, so should they be exempt from laws that permit driving and using the phone? What if they're driving and need to walk a colleague through something complex that they did themselves last week.

How about a board member of the RBA, they are making decisions that will make or break our economy, yet still no mobile phone exemption

To be very clear I am not undermining the importance of police, and the work they do, but I believe they undermine the importance of everyone else's occupation when they expect special privilege

You cant put it all on the cops, they are driven by a political beurocratic organsation. They do what they are told too, some like the power more than others. But they dont make the laws and are told how to enforce them

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by Shonky.

I know plenty of people who do more meaningful work that helps people, society, and the economy more than a cop, so where is their exemption?

Such as? Police, fire brigade, and ambulances do tend to help most folks in distress or danger more so than anybody else. So...who do you nominate as more important?

[Blue Shadow]

Originally Posted by SYZ

Such as? Police, fire brigade, and ambulances do tend to help most folks in distress or danger more so than anybody else. So...who do you nominate as more important?

Peroberley Mr Wippy, Pizza Hut Delivery and Taxi's. Lol

[Shonky.]

Originally Posted by SYZ

Such as? Police, fire brigade, and ambulances do tend to help most folks in distress or danger more so than anybody else. So...who do you nominate as more important?

Umm, I already listed two examples in my very next post.....

Originally Posted by Shonky.

How about a surgeon, they save more lives than a cop, so should they be exempt from laws that permit driving and using the phone? What if they're driving and need to walk a colleague through something complex that they did themselves last week.

How about a board member of the RBA, they are making decisions that will make or break our economy, yet still no mobile phone exemption

To be very clear I am not undermining the importance of police, and the work they do, but I believe they undermine the importance of everyone else's occupation when they expect special privilege

Everyone thinks what they do is important.

Air traffic controller who was meant to be at work 10 minutes ago.

Aircraft engineer, explaining what an error code means to a pilot in a cockpit

Army Seargent about to deploy

Surely you can think of your own example

Or do you believe emergency service staff are the single most important group of employees in the country

Their wage if nothing else would suggest the population for the most part disagree with you

[SpoolMan]

I was once told by an officer at the traffic lights ''hands free means hands free''.

[olfella]

Same with speeding - the law is the law and everyone knows the rules. It is not as if it has not been advertised and education programs run

[olfella]

I loved the one on the RBT program when the lady that was puled over for using her phone said she left it in the office... So after much tooing and froing Mr Plod let her go. Then a couple of minutes after called her - AND SHE ANSWERED!! hahahaaaa

[STINKY NINJA]

You should not be able to do anything whilst driving,eating,smoking,doing your makeup etc,how is it different to using a phone,it all takes some concentration away from the road...

[xisled]

This is the law on mobiles phones in Vic.

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safe...es-and-driving

[ratter]

First your wife, now your daughter, they'll be after you next, be careful

[SGT 390]

Talking on the phone whilst driving is illegal but I for one am sick of seeing nodding heads in front of me on the road. Not only is the car going slower which is annoying, but reading a text whilst driving is just downright stupid - or maybe they are just truly unbelievable drivers that laws are not intended for. Cannot outlaw stupid - its everywhere.

[danzvtil]

Its all there in black and white. She was USING the phone. Its not up to the cops to argue the degree of the offence, the law was broken-If you want to argue, take it to court and loose.

300—Use of mobile phones
(1) The driver of a vehicle (except an emergency vehicle or police vehicle) must not use a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked, unless the driver is exempt from this rule under another law of this jurisdiction

use, in relation to a mobile phone, includes the following:
(a) holding the phone to, or near, the ear (whether or not engaged in a phone call);
(b) creating, sending or looking at a text or video message on the phone;
(c) turning the phone on or off;
(d) operating any other function of the phone.

[dopeydazza]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Its all there in black and white. She was USING the phone. Its not up to the cops to argue the degree of the offence, the law was broken-If you want to argue, take it to court and loose.

300—Use of mobile phones
(1) The driver of a vehicle (except an emergency vehicle or police vehicle) must not use a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked, unless the driver is exempt from this rule under another law of this jurisdiction

use, in relation to a mobile phone, includes the following:
(a) holding the phone to, or near, the ear (whether or not engaged in a phone call);
(b) creating, sending or looking at a text or video message on the phone;
(c) turning the phone on or off;
(d) operating any other function of the phone.

The 1 marked (d) has me interested as I have my smart phone in a cradle on BA dash (cradle slides into cd slot) and connect BA aux plug into smart phone headphone jack for listening to downloaded music. So I can get done for swiping screen changing music or replaying a good song even though it is not being used as a phone ? I been meaning to ask that question for awhile, but this may answer it for me. I understand a commercially fitted phone holder is legal to use, but the part defining 'commercially fitted' I can not seem to find details on. Unlesssss that changed as well.

[Blue Shadow]

Originally Posted by dopeydazza

The 1 marked (d) has me interested as I have my smart phone in a cradle on BA dash (cradle slides into cd slot) and connect BA aux plug into smart phone headphone jack for listening to downloaded music. So I can get done for swiping screen changing music or replaying a good song even though it is not being used as a phone ? I been meaning to ask that question for awhile, but this may answer it for me. I understand a commercially fitted phone holder is legal to use, but the part defining 'commercially fitted' I can not seem to find details on. Unlesssss that changed as well.

Comercially fitted means that it is a purpose made product i.e. it is made to hold a phone on to a car dash and it is not say a coat hanger bent to hold the phone to the dash. It also must be placed on the dash so as not to take your eyes to far away from the road or
So it is reasonable that your peripheral vision is in view of the road.
Placement is a big thing even with satnavs, there are rules about where on the screen they can be put
As for the music thing it is a function of the phone

[ea90gl]

Goodness me, what have we all become in this country according to the media beat up that we all seem to believe and agree with (more so the brainwashed sheep of our community who believe everything they are told and feel that they have to agree with the general consensus other wise "they will not fit in"....

Let me start off by saying that I do not condone any stupid activities performed behind the wheel whilst driving a motor vehicle and if you are performing any obvious activities that take away your concentration from driving and are caught then you should most definitely be dealt a blow but come on.....

The media has told us that we should not even touch or look at our mobile phones while driving since it may ultimately cause the death of untold young children and the death of untold happy families whilst driving. This has been drilled into us so they can justify the ridiculous fines and demerit points they issue to a person caught "using" their mobile phone at any point in time while driving. This is nothing but PURE REVENUE RAISING end of story.

Yet we are allowed to drive stressed out, tired, anxious, play with the cruise control, enter radio stations into our car's audio system, play with the wiper settings, adjust our seat positions, have a laugh with the passenger that you are driving with, adjust the clock that the vehicle came with (where does it end?) that ultimately distract us from concentrating whilst driving in the exact same way as checking a text message at the stop lights. The difference with all of above and mobile phone usage is it is harder for the police to enforce and pinpoint the above in order to dish out that fine to the driver.

You cannot seriously tell me that checking your phone at the stoplights is a criminal offence. I understand that the fines for doing so are there to try stop further usage of a mobile phone whilst driving but as mentioned, there are many many many other things that we could be doing whilst driving that most definitely distract us however since they are not able to be pinpointed they go unnoticed....

To be perfectly frank the laws in this country are becoming more and more ridiculous and are obvious that they have been made to produce more money for the Government.

I seriously do not care if you disagree with me, it most likely means you are a brain washed sheep who is willing to accept what you are told by the general media.

Flame suit on and I am ready to go LOL

[Express]

Originally Posted by ea90gl

The media has told us that we should not even touch or look at our mobile phones while driving since it may ultimately cause the death of untold young children and the death of untold happy families whilst driving. This has been drilled into us so they can justify the ridiculous fines and demerit points they issue to a person caught "using" their mobile phone at any point in time while driving. This is nothing but PURE REVENUE RAISING end of story.

This is not an Australian thing as studies all over the world have proven humans cannot give the act of driving its due diligence whilst using a phone.

Studies link similarities between it and drink driving.

In some European countries phones must be turned off while in the car and they have roadside scanners to check vehicles as they drive by and you can’t programme your GPS unless the vehicle is stationary with the engine turned off.

Even my Merc warns me on startup that the use of the GPS whilst driving is against the law in some countries.

I’m old enough to remember the high percentage of people who believed drinking didn’t affect their driving and were totally against the introduction of drink driving laws and RBT’s.

It took years before it was drummed home not to drink and drive and it didn’t happen until society started to frown on those that did and we are now going through the same cycle with driving while on the phone.

We are all entitled to have differing opinions on the subject but speed laws because they are easy to monitor with machines do make for great revenue raisers but phone usage is only detected by police patrols which puts it in a different category.

I also remember the introduction of seatbelts, wow what a nanny state we were becoming.

And I'm sure there are many other activities within cars that make for risky driving but if you notice manufacturers are slowly starting to make some of them safer by providing controls via the steering wheel or voice command.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by ea90gl

I seriously do not care if you disagree with me, it most likely means you are a brain washed sheep who is willing to accept what you are told by the general media.

Nice assumption.

Checking a phone at a red light might not be that dangourous, but it causes more traffic jams because the idiots looking at their phones don't go when the light goes green. By the time someone has the courage to beep them, 4 or more cars may not get through that green. When it's busy, if that is happening seceral times and hour, it adds up to a lot more traffic.
If you cannot go for a drive without looking at your phone, you have the attention span of a 1 year old.
If you rely on your phone for business, why wouldn't you get a hands free kit? Almost every new car has it, aftermarket ones are cheaper than a fine.


I was driving behind a car the other day that crossed to the wrong side of the road across double lines while a truck was approaching. Luckily they turned back in time, but at the next set of lights they were reusing right and I looked across to see a phone in her hand.
I guess of a cop fined her it would be just for revenue raising