A raft of new road rules have come into force in New South Wales – including tougher restrictions on mobile phone usage – as the state tries to conform more closely with current national road rules.
Drivers can now not hold a phone in their hand unless they are passing it to a passenger. Learners and provisional P1 drivers are not allowed to touch a phone at all. The changes mean drivers can only use mobiles if they are completely hands free or mounted. Any texting, emailing, online chatting or any activity which requires touching a phone will be banned. Offenders risk losing three demerit points and a $298 fine.
Among the other changes are new rules governing signalling off a roundabout and giving way to pedestrians.
Drivers must give way to any pedestrians crossing the road that the driver is turning into, even if there is no pedestrian crossing. The penalty is three demerit points and a $298 fine,
At roundabouts, drivers must now indicate their intention to turn well in advance of a roundabout. If going straight, they must indicate a left turn just before exiting or risk losing two demerit points and a $165 fine.
Email us here with your thoughts on this story
