New driver distraction rules in Victoria
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New driver distraction road rules will come into effect across Victoria from 31 March.
The changes will bring Victoria in line with the Australian Road Rules, and cover in-built vehicle systems, mounted devices, wearable and portable devices such as smartwatches and tablets.
The rules reflect the significant increase of in-vehicle technologies and other technologies capable of distracting a driver and are designed to help keep people safe on the road network.
In general, the changes mean you cannot touch an unmounted portable device, such as a phone, tablet, laptop or any other portable device while driving.
In addition to phones and visual display units, the changes will cover:
- Portable devices (unmounted mobile phones, tablets);
- Wearable devices (smartwatches, wearable heads-up display);
- Inbuilt devices (Information, navigation, and entertainment systems, heads-up display that is an inbuilt part of the vehicle);
- Mounted devices (Heads-up display, tablet, mobile phone, media player etc if securely mounted in or on a vehicle); and
- Motor bike helmet devices.
There are also additional rules that will cover L and P plate drivers.