In a word-first initiative, the New South Wales Government implemented the Mobile Phone Detection Program in an effort to aid its strategy to eliminate road fatalities and serious injuries by 2056.

With this program, the Government aims to identify road users who use their phones illegally while driving with cameras detecting phone use. Once identified, these road users will then face heavy fines for using a phone while driving.

Considering the above, it’s crucial that you understand what you’re allowed to do and what you’re not. In this way, you’ll be able to avoid severe penalties. In this post, we’ll look at the legalities of using your phone while driving a little closer.

How Do Mobile Phone Detection Cameras Work?

Before looking at the specific rules relating to the use of mobile phones when driving, let’s first look at what mobile phone detection cameras are and how they work. As their name suggests, these cameras detect the illegal use of a phone while driving.

They actually consist of a number of cameras and an infra-red flash that are able to capture images of passing motor vehicles in all traffic and weather conditions. An artificial intelligence algorithm then detects those motorists using their phones while driving.

Once detected, trained personnel verify and confirm that the person in question offended by using their phone illegally when driving. The system rejects the images of those motorists who act within the confines of the law during the above process, and it deletes these images within an hour after capture.

When Can You Legally Use Your Phone While Driving?

When mobile phone detection cameras identify offending drivers, they’ll face heavy fines for using a phone while driving. The current penalty is five demerit points and a fine of $352. It’s important to note that this fine increases to $469 when offending in a school zone and increases to 10 demerit points during double-demerit periods.

Simply put, these penalties can lead to the loss of your license. This makes it essential to understand what you’re allowed to do with your phone when driving. In terms of the rules, you’re allowed to:

• * Make or receive phone calls when driving, provided that your phone is secured in a cradle which is fixed to the vehicle or when you can make or receive the call without touching the phone by, for instance, using Bluetooth functionality.

• * Listen to music or use other audio functions of your phone when driving, provided that your phone is secured in a cradle which is fixed to the vehicle or when you can use these functions without touching the phone by, for instance, using Bluetooth functionality.

• * Use the Speed Adviser app, use your phone for navigation, or use it as a driver’s aid, provided that it’s secured in a cradle that is fixed to your vehicle.

• * Use the wallet functions of your phone for, for instance, perform transactions, show coupons or vouchers, or for access control, provided that your vehicle is stationary and parked off the road.

• * Access your Digital Driver’s License only when requested to do so by a police officer.

What is Illegal?

Considering the above, any act in contravention of these rules will constitute the illegal use of a phone while driving. Also, this means you’re not allowed to use other functions like video calling, emailing, texting, web browsing, or social media when driving. You may, however, use these functions when your vehicle is parked.

It goes further than this, though. If you hold a learner or restricted P1 or P2 license, you’re not allowed to use your phone in any way when driving, even if it’s secured in a cradle, or you’re able to use it hands-free. In this case, if you hold a learner or provisional P1 license, you’ll exceed your demerit point threshold and will, therefore, lose your license if caught for the illegal use of a phone while driving.

Likewise, if you hold a learner, P1 or P2 license, and you’re caught for the illegal use of a phone while driving during a double demerit period, you’ll exceed your demerit point threshold and lose your license. Considering this, it’s vital that you comply with the rules and avoid these severe penalties.

The Bottom Line

With cameras detecting phone use becoming more prevalent, you could face heavy fines for using a phone while driving. As demonstrated earlier, in some cases, these fines can even lead to you losing your license. Hopefully, this post helped illustrate what you’re allowed to do and what you’re not.

If you want to know more about these rules or if you feel that you’ve been incorrectly fined for illegal mobile phone use after detection on a mobile phone detection camera, you may need a traffic lawyer.