Australian authorities are tightening the rules on road safety, enforcing tougher penalties on motorists who use mobile phones while driving. Across most states and territories, drivers caught handling their phone — whether texting, calling, or even briefly holding it — now face fines of up to $500, alongside demerit points. These penalties are part of a broader campaign to combat distracted driving, one of the leading causes of accidents on Australian roads.
Why the Crackdown is Necessary
According to road safety experts, the dangers of phone use behind the wheel are on par with drink driving. Even a split-second distraction can be enough to cause a crash. Transport departments across the country report that driver distraction is involved in a significant percentage of road fatalities each year. By introducing a uniform $500 penalty, authorities aim to send a clear message that using a phone while driving is simply not worth the risk.
State-by-State Monitoring and Fines
Individual states have taken tough measures to enforce these rules. In New South Wales, for example, mobile phone detection cameras operate across major highways and intersections, automatically recording offenders. Queensland and Victoria have also expanded similar technology, issuing hundreds of thousands of infringement notices in recent years. Motorists in South Australia, Western Australia, and other territories are subject to comparable penalties, with slight variations in the number of demerit points attached.
Hands-Free Is Allowed, But With Limits
While the use of mobile phones is heavily restricted, drivers are permitted to use hands-free features such as Bluetooth or voice-activated commands — provided the driver does not physically touch the device. Even then, road safety advocates caution motorists against engaging in long calls or complex navigation tasks that could still affect their focus on the road. Learner and provisional drivers face stricter rules, with a complete ban on mobile phone use, even hands-free.
Public Awareness Campaigns
In addition to heavy fines, governments are investing in awareness campaigns to educate drivers about the risks. Television ads, billboards, and digital campaigns repeatedly highlight the simple truth: a text message or social media notification is never worth a life. Many of these awareness efforts share real-life stories of accidents caused by distracted driving, reinforcing the severe consequences of checking a phone behind the wheel.
Balancing Technology and Road Safety
Authorities acknowledge that mobile phones have become part of daily life, but stress that safe usage must come first when driving. The $500 fine is designed to act as a deterrent, ensuring motorists think twice before reaching for their phone. Police say compliance rates are improving, but continue to issue reminders that enforcement will remain strict.
Australia’s consistent message is clear: put the phone down and keep your focus on the road. A single glance at a screen could cost more than just money — it could cost lives.
