Mobile Phones
The information contained in this health and safety topic has been sourced from the Office of Road
Safety in Western Australia. On March 1st 2011 new laws were introduced in Western Australia regarding the use of mobile phones and visual display units in cars. A national road safety strategy report conducted by the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Transport has recommended banning the use of mobile phones in cars altogether. This is currently being considered by the transport ministers in each state & territory. It is anticipated that as a minimum that other states will follow the lead of Western Australia and tighten their laws regarding the use of mobile phones.

Changes to the Law in Western Australia
A mobile phone may only be used by the driver of a motor vehicle to make or receive a phone call while driving if the phone is either:
· secured in a mounting affixed to the vehicle; or
· if not secured, can be operated without touching it.

It will be an offence to create, send or look at a text message, video message, email or similar communication while driving. The GPS function of a mobile phone may be used by a driver while driving as long as the phone is secured in a mounting, and the driver does not need to touch thephone (including the keypad or screen) at any time.
Penalty: Three demerit points and a $250 fine.

Visual Display Units.
A visual display unit (e.g. a GPS unit or other navigational device) must either be:
· an integrated part of the vehicle design; or
· secured in a mounting affixed to the vehicle while it is being used.

If it is secured in a mounting, the mounting must be commercially designed and manufactured for that
purpose and attached to the vehicle in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Penalty: Three demerit points and a $100 fine.

General Information on Use of Mobile Phones in Cars
Mobile phone usage has increased dramatically in the past decade. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that in 1996 only 24.1% of households had a mobile phone. By 2002 this was 72% and it is now close to 99%.
The use of a mobile phone while driving increases the risk of being involved in a crash by up to 4 times.
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving has been illegal in Western Australia since 2001, but it is still legal to use a hands-free model.

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[S]kid[S]