Mobile phone ban for drivers confirmed
The Dominion Post
Relevant offers
It will be illegal for drivers to talk or send text messages on handheld mobile phones while driving from November 1, Transport Minister Steven Joyce announced today.
Drivers using handheld mobiles would be liable for an $80 fine and 20 demerit points.
The ban comes in changes to the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule.
"There are a lot of other distractions while driving but handheld mobile phone use has grown to become a significant problem," Mr Joyce said.
"The reality is we need to send a strong signal to all road users that it's not on.
"Texting and driving, in particular, is a total no brainer."
According to statistics supplied by Mr Joyce, there were 25 fatal crashes and 482 injury crashes between 2003 and 2008 where the use of a cellphone or another mobile device was a factor.
The ban will not cover hands-free devices or two-way radio, and there will be an exemption for 111 calls made in emergency situations.
Mr Joyce said the excemption for hands-free devices was necessary because many business and trades people depended on them for work.
Also included in the rule change is a requirement for motorcyclists and moped riders to use headlights during daylight hours.
Dog & Lemon Guide editor Clive Matthew Wilson said instead of fining drivers police should have the power to temporarily seize cellphones.
He said banning cellphone might not work because many drivers would rather get a fine than miss a call. But the threat of having their cellphone confiscated would cause drivers to change their behavior.
"Cellphone use by drivers is banned in many countries, yet drivers continue to use their cellphones regardless. Clearly, we need to move beyond simply giving drivers tickets to taking their cellphones away."
- The Dominion Post
Sponsored links
It is good people have this new banning law and some people can obviously use their brains to put in the new law good on em
Does anyone know where we can find a copy of this law? Theres also a lot of unanswered questions. Like what if the officer cant see the phone while its being used? Or, what if I just say I was rolling smoke out of view? Id rather there was some forethought in this area or police will mark people as guilty until proven innocent (which is basically your word against a protector of the peace. GOOD LUCK!).
too many people die.thats all i need to say to anyone with common sense
I want to know if you will be aloud to use the earpiece that normally comes with the phones (like a walk man headset) or if we have to fork out for a bluetooth wireless hands free? It is bouncing around our office and most of us think that you cant have the earpiece in your ear!!!!
The day time motorcycle law was tried in Ausie years ago but way dropped because it had no effect on crash rates.
Dumb piece of legislation, it wont stop me.
My mother texts and drives all the time it is a disgusting habit. I'm so glad its illegal, probably will not stop her through.
How many police cars do you see on the road? I travel approx 60km a day and see maybe 1 or 2. Incidentally I've been driving and calling for years and never been even close to an accident, but then again I am a bloody good driver :)
God sakes people, get over it, in auz its banned too, buy a hands free kit for ya car, i am sick of NZ and how we act when the government make a change, you all cry like babies, get over it NZ time to change!! I CANT WAIT FOR THIS TO BE INTRODUCED
Minister fears fake limbs putting prison staff at risk
Police dob in drink driver to Air NZ
Teacher has baby with 17-year-old student
Martinborough pinot strikes gold
Concern over missing South Auckland teen and baby
Lawyer backs down over drink-drive website
Injured tourist rescued from Tararuas
One dead in crash south of Kaikoura
Concern over missing South Auckland teen and baby
Bitter MP seeks reconciliation
Police dob in drink driver to Air NZ
All Blacks beat England in dour test
Wallabies humiliated by Scotland
Triple treat cashes up ailing NZRU
All Whites squad to divvy up $4m
Williams confident of luring Tiger to NZ again
Sleepwalker found not guilty of wife's death
World Cup party's over for Phoenix
All Blacks beat England in dour test
Police dob in drink driver to Air NZ
Shyla's a purr-fect little mum
Bitter MP seeks reconciliation
Wallabies humiliated by Scotland
Nice Kiwi blokes - shame about the women
Newest First
Oldest First
I think the government made the right choice of making this law so people will pay more attention on driving than their phone