Queensland

Police in several Australian states have stopped conducting stationary, large-scale random breath tests and drug tests in an effort to protect both officers and the public from transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Police forces in Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland this week confirmed their officers will avoid carrying out high-volume booze bus testing, instead relying on targeted testing to catch those driving under the influence.

The tale of a Sydney driver being fined because her passenger was on FaceTime incited shock and outrage in June 2019, but drivers may be interested to know similar penalties are becoming commonplace on roads across the nation. Sheree Panetta took to Facebook to vent about the $337 fine she received from NSW Police, with her post quickly going viral.

Being caught using a mobile phone while driving in Queensland is about to get a lot more expensive. The Queensland Government has announced any driver caught using a mobile phone behind the wheel will be fined $1000 and four demerit points. For drivers caught twice within 12 months, double demerit points apply and they may now lose their licence. Queensland will also trial cameras recently introduced in New South Wales to detect mobile phone usage.

The Queensland Government has announced it will create an electric highway connecting the state's north and south coasts, in an effort to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs). The strategy is similar to that which led to the 'Electric Highway' established by RAC WA in Western Australia.

The Australian Automotive Association (AAA) has revealed the top 10 worst sections of highway along the National Land Transport Network. AAA's Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) examines the 247 sections of highway across the country that make up the 20,664km National Land Transport Network, and ranks them based on risk determined from the length of road section, traffic volume and casualty crash rates.