From 1 February 2010, the monetary penalty for illegally using a mobile phone while driving will increase from $110 to $300. This is in addition to the increase in the demerit point penalty, from 2 to 3 points, that came into effect in November 2009.
Using Mobile Phones and Visual Display Units
Using a mobile phone while driving is banned except to make or receive a phone call provided the phoneis secured in a commercially designed holder
Child Restraints
From 30 November 2009 all children under four years of age must wear an approved child restraint when travelling in a car for improved safety. The type of restraint will depend on the age of the child as follows
Seatbelts
It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure that all passengers in the car are wearing a seatbelt or a child restraint. Drivers must now also ensure that adult passengers wear a seatbelt
Cyclists
The changes are about bicycle passengers wearing an approved helmet and using the proper seat, and for cyclists turning from, and stopping in, bicycle storage areas at intersections with traffic signals
Pedestrians
Pedestrians will now be required to walk along a road on the same side as and facing oncoming traffic unless it is impracticable to do so
Motorised Scooters (ie 'Wheeled Recreational Devices')
For the purposes of the Road Rules these low powered motorised scooters will be treated the same as riders of foot-powered scooters, skateboards and rollerblades (ie 'wheeled recreational devices')
Drivers
Some of the key changes for drivers include
Parking
Stopping to park in a slip lane or on a painted island will be prohibited. A slip lane is an area of road for vehicles turning left. It is separated from other parts of the road by a painted island or traffic island
Motorcyclists
There are three new rules for motorcyclists
Front Fog Lights
The new road rules now require that a driver of a vehicle fitted with front fog lights (or rear fog lights) must not operate the fog lights unless the driver is driving in fog or other hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility
Other road rule changes
On 30 November 2009 there will be a number of other changes to the road rules a full version of the road rules can be viewed at www.thelaw.tas.gov.au
While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in these fact sheets is an accurate summary of the new Tasmanian legislation, it must not be construed as a legal interpretation of the Road Rules 2009, a full version of which can be viewed atwww.thelaw.tas.gov.au from 30 November 2009.
