Queensland

The latest Australian road toll shows the number of road-related deaths per month is declining in all states except Queensland, but the national total is still tracking almost 11 per cent behind the nine-year road safety target for the end of 2020. According to June 2020 statistics released by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE), there were 78 deaths on Australia's roads last month – a reduction on the five-year average for June of 98 deaths.

Queensland will become the Australian state with the third-harshest punishment for drivers parking in disabled bays after introducing new rules that double the current fine. Under new proposed legislation, motorists caught committing the inconsiderate offence will be fined $533, twice the existing penalty of $266.

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.

The Queensland Government has announced that it will be issuing defect notices to owners of more than 2000 cars fitted with faulty 'alpha' Takata airbags. The defect notice will give owners 21 days to have their airbags replaced by the vehicle's manufacturer. If owners choose to take no action, their registrations will be cancelled.

MG has commenced its Australian rollout this week, with three new dealerships in Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Brisbane opening their doors to the public. Each location offers sales, service and parts replacement for local MG customers, and are the first dealer representatives for the reborn brand in Australia. The company has also confirmed its plans to expand the local line-up by the end of this year, with the GS and ZS SUVs set to join the current MG3 and MG6 Plus models already on sale.