Most motorists complying with cell phone ban 

Source: ONE News

Motorists are generally complying with a new ban on hand-held cellphone use while driving , with just a handful of fines handed out on Sunday Police say.

The ban on making or receiving calls from a cellphone, texting and e-mailing was one of a raft of new road rules under the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2009 which took effect from Sunday.

Those caught breaking the cellphone law face $80 fines and 20 demerit points.

Drivers can still use hands-free devices and two-way radio under the ban. There is an exemption for 111 calls.

Police patrols in central Auckland handed out only four $80 fines to motorists caught using their mobile telephones while behind the wheel.

"They were driving while talking on the phone and, when they were asked if they were aware of the ban, they said they knew about it," Sergeant Ashley Gore told The New Zealand Herald.

Police say officers were initially focusing on educating drivers rather than punishing them.

National road policing manager Superintendent Paula Rose says although officers have been instructed to use discretion as motorists adjusted to the ban, that should not be taken to mean a free-ride period for dangerous practices.

She says that police were reporting high compliance with the ban, and she had not come across any violations while on patrol around the Wellington region for its first six hours, from midnight on Saturday.

Other legislative changes introduced on Sunday included the requirement for riders of motorbikes and scooters made after 1980 to have their lights on during the day.

Also, drivers could use special vehicle lanes only when less than 50m from where they will turn off or park and police could now conduct roadside drug impairment tests.

Pedestrians "obviously waiting" at a pedestrian crossing have right of way over vehicles, a change from the current requirement to give way to pedestrians on a crossing.

Vehicles towing another vehicle with a tow rope, rather than a rigid towing system, will be limited to a maximum speed of 50kmh.

Do you think cell phone use while driving has contributed to the road toll? Do you text/dial and drive, will you chaneg your habit now? Share your thoughts on our message board below:

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Alex ; 2009-11-02 @ 07:45 NZDT  

Mobile phone usage while driving hasn't caused that many road deaths. But just because it hasn't doesn't mean that it is right. It's a big distraction and drivers ought to wait until they pull over to answer the call or text. Or simply do it later if it is not important

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blacksky ; 2009-10-26 @ 19:08 NZDT  

I guess this helps but there are so many other distractions what is the point. It would be better to put the time and effort in to better driver training than to pass new laws. I think distractions that are just as bad if not worse that I regularly see drivers doing include, kids, eating, MP3 players, stereos. Its not like we can ban these. Kids must be the biggest distraction, e.g. if your baby starts crying your natural reaction is to take your eyes off the road and look...cont next post...

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mouthguard ; 2009-08-26 @ 10:09 NZDT  

The hard science shows us that there is no difference in risk between hands-free and normal phones while driving. Yet hands-free is still going to be OK. Another example of legislation missing the point. It is the distraction that is the problem, not the communication method as it turns out. Our cell-phone addiction is actually killing Kiwis on the road.

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nibbler2 ; 2009-08-26 @ 08:26 NZDT  

I think the main issue with cellphones in cars are people texting while driving. I have followed cars who are all over the road and sure enough when you go past them they are texting. TALKING on a cellphone to me is less distracting than having kids arguing in the back seat, people eating or drinking while driving, putting on makeup etc.

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lizzels ; 2009-08-24 @ 20:50 NZDT  

I think its a good thing BUT its worth noting that those 482 crashes were not all deemed to be caused by mobile phones, just said that it was a factor. But is it really going to be a problem if I send a text while waiting at traffic lights? Would I be fined? I do think people who drive one-handed with the other hand holding the phone to the ear, or even worse those who hold it in front of the wheel so they can text are inconsiderate tossers, looking forward to seeing less of them..

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