Road rules have changed in Victoria. Here's what you need to know
The warning period for Victorian drivers who are snapped using their mobile phones or failing to wear a seatbelt by new portable cameras has ended, meaning those motorists will now be fined for their offences.
The new detection cameras were rolled out in the state in April, and use artificial intelligence technology, as well as high-definition lenses, to snap photos of drivers doing the wrong thing.
During the two-month warning period, drivers received an advisory letter about the offence.
New phone and seatbelt detection cameras have been rolled out across Victoria. Supplied
But now, they will face a $577 fine if they are caught on their phone while driving along with four demerit points.
If you are caught wearing your seatbelt incorrectly, you will receive a $385 fine and another three demerit points.
How do they work?
The AI-enabled camera systems capture high-resolution images of passing vehicles in all conditions, including poor weather and low light levels.
The new technology targets drivers who are holding mobile phones or other devices when driving, as well as drivers and passengers who fail to wear a seatbelt.
Once the driver does something wrong, the cameras will take photo which will be automatically flagged for review by human eye – otherwise, the image will be rejected.
New technology will catch out distracted motorists using their mobile phones. Nine
Are any other road rules changing?
A raft of other road changes have also changed, including the way drivers interact with their mobile devices.
Learner and P-plate drivers need to pull over and park to change a song on their phone.
They will be unable to take audio calls and use voice controls to operate any mounted or inbuilt devices.
However, they can briefly touch an inbuilt device to adjust navigation settings.
The AI-enabled camera systems are capturing high-resolution images of passing vehicles in all conditions. Nine
Full licence drivers will not be able to touch an unmounted portable device, such as a phone, while driving - even if it is turned off.
The rule also includes looking at a device held by another person in the car.
Drivers must not scroll on mounted or in-built devices but can initiate, accept or reject an audio call, use a navigation function and play or stream music.
The new rules will bring Victoria in line with the road rules in other states and territories, and cover in-built vehicle systems, mounted devices, wearable and portable devices such as smartwatches, and tablets.
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