DISTRACTIONS

Stay off your phone to get home sweet home. Texting, talking, swiping and scrolling – all proof that sometimes the things we love can hurt us the most. Recent studies have shown that drivers can be up to 12 times more likely to crash if they’re texting or browsing on their phone – and that’s not where the distractions end.

PHONES ARE THE MOST COMMON FORM OF DISTRACTED DRIVING OTHER DISTRACTIONS INCLUDE GPS, LOUD MATES AND EVEN EATING

TAKING YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR JUST TWO SECONDS OR MORE DOUBLES YOUR RISK OF CRASHING. AT 50KM/H YOU TRAVEL 28M IN TWO SECONDS

WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M DISTRACTED WHILE DRIVING?

Driving while distracted will reduce awareness of traffic hazards, slow your reaction time, make it harder to control speed, gauge distance, and maintain your position on the road. Treat the road like a lover, pay it attention, fuel its love language of quality time, like Aerosmith sings, you don’t want to miss a thing.

HOW WILL IT BE DETECTED?

The rumours are true, it’s now easier than ever to get caught using your phone while driving with unmarked police cars and new phone and seatbelt camera technology. The best way to avoid getting caught? Leave it unread until you get home sweet home.

HOW CAN I LIMIT DISTRACTIONS?

Distractions, distractions everywhere. Stay as focused as possible with these tips below.

TURN ON ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ BEFORE DRIVING

SET YOUR GPS OR MUSIC PLAYLIST PRIOR TO STARTING YOUR CAR

IF YOU DO NEED TO USE YOUR PHONE, PULL OVER AND PARK SAFELY OR WAIT UNTIL YOUR JOURNEY HAS FINISHED

IF YOU KNOW YOUR MATE IS ON THE ROAD, TRY NOT TO TEXT OR CALL THEM

IF YOU NEED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE WHO’S DRIVING, KEEP THINGS BRIEF AND OFFER TO CALL THEM ONCE THEY GET HOME

LOOK OUT FOR YOUR MATES, IF YOU SEE THEM USING THEIR PHONE WHILE DRIVING GIVE THEM A LITTLE NUDGE NUDGE

THE FALLOUT

In Victoria, the minimum penalty for using your mobile phone while driving is a $611 fine and 4 demerit points . In some situations, this can also result in loss of licence. That’s an expensive message.

$611 FINE IF CAUGHT USING A PORTABLE DEVICE

LOSS OF 4 DEMERIT POINTS

POTENTIAL LOSS OF LICENCE

As at 1 July 2025; this is updated every year, see here
https://www.vic.gov.au/fine-amounts-and-demerit-points.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Pick up the phone. Pick up a fine. No one is above getting caught, put the phone down, the group chat can wait.

Know the rules that apply to you on your L's Ps' and full license.