Road Rules

Real-life dash cam footage will be used in a new road safety campaign later this year – and Australia’s crash test authority is asking motorists to send in footage of dodgy drivers and near misses. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) started out comparing the crash protection of popular models but as technology has evolved it has expanded its procedures to now also test the systems designed to prevent crashes in the first place.

Queensland Police have handed out fines totalling $218,000 to 218 people over six days after tougher new penalties for driver mobile phone use were implemented in the state this week. As of February 1, 2020, motorists in Queensland now face standard $1000 fines and four demerit points if they're found to be illegally using their phones while behind the wheel.

Motorists in Sydney's CBD and surrounds will notice reduced speed limits when they return to work this week following the introduction of the city's new light rail network. In an effort to ensure safety around the recently launched routes, new speed limits came into effect on December 1, 2019, with reductions of up to 20 kilometres per hour in some areas.

New South Wales motorists will need to abide new laws about minimum passing distance when overtaking cyclists, or face fines and the loss of demerit points. The new Minimum Passing Distance rule comes into force after a two-year trial, and mandates motorists leave a one-metre gap when overtaking cyclists below 60km/h and a 1.5-metre space over 60km/h.

Tasmania has declared war on hooning drivers and is prepared to throw the book at offenders, who now face up to 21 years in jail, in an effort to crack down on dangerous driving.