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Source: ONE News -
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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:
Add a Comment:
Post new commentswimmerd said on 2011-05-28 @ 10:06 NZDT: Report abusive post
I do not think they go far enough. The police should be given the powers to confiscate the mobile phone from the driver if thay are caught using it.
tomolly said on 2011-05-28 @ 08:22 NZDT: Report abusive post
Great ideal.The number of people talking on cellphones is amazing in Remuera. They drive their expensive cars but dont invest in something for hands free. Does this include the police as twice this week I have seen them on celllphones????
Alex said on 2009-11-02 @ 07:45 NZDT: Report abusive post
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
blacksky said on 2009-10-26 @ 19:08 NZDT: Report abusive post
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...
mouthguard said on 2009-08-26 @ 10:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
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.