ACT cracks down on mobile phone use

New laws in the Australian Capital Territory are cracking down on motorists using their mobile phones while driving.

The laws — in immediate effect — mean that drivers can no longer hold a mobile phone, cradle it on their shoulder or rest it on their lap while driving.

ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Transport Jon Stanhope said that the laws were a part of a nationwide reform.

"Research shows that drivers are four times more likely to crash while using a mobile phone and yet many Canberrans continue to ignore the risks," he said.

Stanhope said in a statement last week that drivers could use a mobile phone to make or receive calls while the device is secured in a cradle. Messaging and video-calling activities, however, are still prohibited.

Those breaking the new mobile phone laws face a $271 fine and risk losing three demerit points from their licence.

(Front page image credit: Phone Car image by H.C. Williams, CC2.0)