Across the nation, new road rules meant to keep drivers safer will include up to four-figure fines and stricter speed limits.
In just a few days, Australians will need to get familiar with the latest road rules from July 1 which will increase penalties in a bid to curb the growing road toll.
Stricter speed limits will also apply, as well as a harder crackdown on mobile phone usage, but some states are introducing harsher measures than others.
Here are all the road rule changes you need to be across come July 1.
There will be AI-powered surveillance cameras being implemented across the country for mobile detection.
Any use of a mobile device will be detected and cameras can identify drivers who are holding or touching their mobile phones while behind the wheel.
Drivers can be fined up to $1209 and may lose up to five demerit points.
More severe penalties will apply to those who fail to wear a seatbelt.
The existing mobile phone detection cameras as well as additional surveillance will be able to detect those who have not fastened their seatbelts.
Moreover, NSW will become the first state to implement average speed cameras to light vehicles – meaning cars and motorcycles (this already applies to heavy vehicles).
The state will also be eliminating ticketless fines, as drivers complained about unknowingly receiving fines without any physical notice.
The Sunshine State has a not so sunny approach to penalties, introducing a more than three per cent increase in fines and car registration.
Previously, the Labor government froze the cost of registrations and fines until September 2025, but that will no longer be the case starting July.
Queensland will also reduce speed limits from 50km/h to 40km/h in select busy areas, including part of the Hervey Bay Esplanade and other urban areas.
Victoria has set to amend Road Rule 79A to require drivers to slow down to 40km/h while passing roadside assistance vehicles, tow trucks, incident response vehicles that are flashing lights or sounding their alarm – this is true of all road types, including freeways.
This addition includes the previously required slower speed around stationary and slow-moving (10km/h or slower) police or emergency vehicles.
Failure to comply may lead to a fine of up to $961, but no loss of demerit points.
Similarly to Victoria, South Australian drivers will now be required to slow down to 25km/h when passing stationary roadside, emergency, or breakdown vehicles flashing their lights.
However, this rule only applies on multi-lane roads and not when these vehicles are travelling on the opposite side of the road.
Penalties may lead up to a whopping $1648 fine and a loss of up to seven demerit points.
This harsher rule comes as part of a safety campaign for the state.
Western Australia changes
Western Australia is implementing a few new rules to the road with the goal of improving road safety and decreasing the state’s road toll.
Incurred fines will increase up to $700 and a loss of five demerit points for the use of a mobile device, and over $1600 for extreme speeding.
Those who are repeat offenders risk getting their licence suspended.
Speed limits ranging from 70-110km/h will be be reduced to 60km/h on major urban roads including parts of Bayview Drive, Margaret River areas, and over 1800 regional roads.
In the high pedestrian areas such as the Augusta town centre and other surrounding streets, a 40km/h rule will be enforced.
Ilana is a Melbourne-based journalist who was previously a copywriter in the Big Apple. Having moved to Melbourne for her Master of Journalism, she has written articles about food, farm machinery, fashion, and now the fast and furious. Her dream car has been a Mini Cooper since the fifth grade, eyeing it’s style and petite size.
