The National Transport Commission (NTC) has proposed a series of changes to the Australian Road Rules, including clarification of what constitutes a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

The recommendation says that mobile phones must not be held-in-the-hand (or between the shoulder and neck) while driving, including for the use of GPS vehicle tracking functions on phones. It is one of a number of proposed road rule changes included in a package of amendments to the Australian Road Rules (ARR) released by the NTC for public consultation.

Other proposed changes clarify the intent of the existing rules and promote better understanding, including:

·the wider use of shared zones to improve pedestrian safety

·giving-way to pedestrians who are crossing the road a driver is turning into

·overtaking a long vehicle on the left on a multi-lane highway

·leaving marked lanes (eg: trucks use left lane) to make a turn

·keeping crossings clear at traffic lights or children’s crossings

·the insertion of examples and improved wording for some rules

You can download a copy of the ARR 8th Amendment Package here:

Recent Reports Issued for Comment

NTC welcomes public submissions on the proposal by 4th July 2008.

What are Australian Road Rules?

Prior to the adoption of Australian Road Rules in 1999, road laws varied between States and Territories. This caused driver confusion, which potentially impacted on road safety and transport efficiency.

Australian Road Rules are ‘Model Rules’ only and have no legal effect – they form the basis of road laws in each State and Territory. The National Transport Commission maintains the rules in consultation with the Australian Road Rules Maintenance Group