Queensland Road Safety Week (QRSW) is an important opportunity to encourage all Queenslanders to play their part in improving safety for all road users.
Now in its 7th year, this year’s event will be held from August 16 to 20. The Department of Transport and Main Roads works in partnership with the Queensland Police Service to raise awareness of the event across the state.
During this week and every time you are on the road, it is important to constantly remain vigilant when behind the wheel and remind ourselves of the Fatal Five.
These five behaviours are the cause, or contribute to, most of the serious traffic incidents and deaths on our roads:
- Speeding
- Drink and drug driving
- Not wearing seatbelts
- Fatigue, and
- Driving while distracted
In 2020, we launched Sign up for road safety, resulting in hundreds of Queenslanders sharing their road safety messages in a visual display of their commitment to road safety.
We want to make it bigger and better this year, with communities, schools, organisations, sporting teams, individuals and many others involved. Please help us spread the word!
To participate head to the website http://streetsmarts.initiatives.qld.gov.au/qrsw-2021
New mobile phone rules
The rules have now been changed to make it illegal for a driver to hold a mobile phone in their hand, or have it resting on any part of their body, including their lap. The phone doesn’t need to be turned on or in use.
The changes will also make exemptions to the rules clear. All drivers can hold their phone or a wallet with a phone in it when the car is stationary to:
- produce a licence or other document as required by a police officer (e.g. a digital licence or a border pass);
- pay for goods and services (e.g. at a drive-through); or
- enter a road-related area like a car park.
Open and P2 licence holders can continue to use a phone hands-free, for instance in a cradle attached to the vehicle. They can also use a phone hands-free when it’s in a pocket of their clothing or in a pouch that they are wearing, provided they can’t see the screen and only operate the phone by using their voice.
The key difference is the new rules make it very clear that a driver should not be holding their phone, or have it resting on any part of their body for any reason. It no longer matters whether the phone is on, or in use.
The infringement for Driver use hand-held mobile phone is $1,033 and 4 demit points.
This column is compiled by Acting Sergeant Sandy Atkinson of the Sunshine Coast District Crime Prevention Unit.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
