Australian motorists face a steep $1,123 fine under new national road safety laws if they fail to use voice-activated GPS functions while navigating. The change, introduced in the 2025 update to the Australian Road Rules (ARR), aims to address rising concerns about distracted driving caused by drivers manually interacting with phones and navigation devices while on the road.
Transport and road authorities said the measure responds to data showing a steady increase in crashes linked to drivers taking their eyes off the road to adjust GPS maps. While hands-free rules around phone calls have been in place for years, the new focus zeroes in on how motorists use navigation tools.
Why the crackdown?
According to the latest statistics from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics, driver distraction accounts for nearly 16 per cent of serious crashes across Australia. Of those incidents, a large portion stems from drivers manipulating mobile phones or car screens to enter or adjust navigation while driving.
Road safety experts argue that the new GPS rule targets a common yet underestimated behaviour. Unlike texting, which is universally known to be dangerous, inputting navigation directions often feels harmless. Yet studies show that even a two-second glance away from the road doubles a driver’s crash risk.
What the rule requires
From September 2025, all drivers are required to only operate their GPS systems through voice-activated or pre-set destinations before the journey begins. Motorists caught typing in addresses or adjusting navigation settings using touch controls while driving risk fines of up to $1,123 and the loss of four demerit points.
The rule applies to both mobile phones in holder mounts and built-in in-car infotainment systems. Drivers may still view directions passively, but inputting details with their hands once the vehicle is in motion is now prohibited. Police across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and other states have been equipped with updated enforcement guidelines, ensuring consistency nationwide.
Public reaction and debate
Reaction among drivers has been mixed. While many support the rule as a logical extension of existing distracted driving laws, others argue it places an additional burden on motorists who might struggle with voice-activated technology. Some older drivers, in particular, have expressed concern that voice commands sometimes fail to correctly register addresses, leaving them frustrated or anxious on the road.
Road safety groups, however, have applauded the move. The Australian Automobile Association welcomed the fine as “a practical step forward,” insisting that convenience cannot outweigh safety. Insurance groups have also noted that insurers may take the new rule into account when assessing claims involving at-fault distracted driving incidents.
A national shift in road safety culture
Authorities stress that the goal is not simply about collecting fines but about reshaping driver habits. The rise of touch-screen car systems over the last decade has created new forms of risk that regulators are determined to address.
The $1,123 penalty represents one of the highest fines for distracted driving in Australia, a deliberate decision to emphasize the seriousness of the offence. Officials believe the hefty financial penalty will serve as a deterrent, ensuring motorists adjust to voice-activated technology.
By tightening the rules, authorities hope Australia can significantly reduce road trauma linked to distraction, bringing the nation closer to its Vision Zero target of eliminating road deaths by 2050.
