Tag Archives: police

Motorcycle News, News

Appeal call for rider-raging driver

Leave a comment

An appeal could be launched against a Canberra motorist who received a “light penalty” for twice swerving dangerously at legally lane-filtering motorcyclists.

The driver, Jake Searle, 28, had been charged with two counts of driving with intent to menace.

He faced maximum penalties of more than $3000 in fines or 12 months in jail or both for each of these charges.

However, the charges were downgraded as he was a first offender.

Searle was released on a one-year good behaviour order and disqualified from driving for three months. He also avoided a fine.

Call for appeal

ACT Shadow Attorney General and Triumph Street Twin rider Jeremy Hansen is calling for an appeal.

“As a fellow rider I am very concerned by any incident that could potentially endanger the life of a motorcyclist,” he says.

“I understand the view that this sentence does not meet community expectations and will write to the ACT Director of Prosecutions to ask if they intend to appeal.”

Meanwhile, ACT Police say they are “waiting for a response from the relevant person/area” regarding an appeal.

We also contacted ACT Minister for Corrections and Justice Shane Rattenbury, Police Minister Mick Gentleman and Minister for Regulatory Services Gordon Ramsay for comment on the sentence.

None has yet replied.

The Australian Motorcycle Council says it is “of concern when a driver uses their vehicle in a premeditated manner, as a weapon to harm others”.

“There appears to be little distinction between the quality of actions of this driver and those of the driver who killed pedestrians in Melbourne, although a difference in the scale or degree,” the AMC says.

Menacing videos

The incidents occurred on Majura Parkway on 30 October 2018. One incident is shown in this video which we published on November 2.

ACT Police were made aware of this video a day later and began investigating.

A second video later emerged showing the same driver swerving at another rider.

ACT Police made several calls for help to identify the two riders so a charge could be laid.

Police seek riders in lane filtering incidents call faces charges menacing
The rider in the second incident

At the time, ACT Police issued these details of the incident:

About 4:30pm, the riders were separately travelling northbound on Majura Parkway, Majura, when a green Ford Falcon swerved, almost colliding with the riders. At the time, the riders were lawfully lane filtering.

Legal filtering

Interestingly, these incidents occurred only a few weeks after the ACT made lane filtering legal.

Lane filtering was introduced in NSW five years ago and is now legal in all states and territories.

Not only is lane filtering legal but it also benefits all motorists as it helps move heavy traffic more quickly.

You can do your bit to educate drivers by sharing our “Open letter to drivers“.

Filtering rage

Drivers obstructing riders has been happening since lane filtering was introduced.

Check out this video from 2017 sent to us by Newcastle rider Harry Criticos.

“I was filtering legally when a driver stuck his whole body out in an attempt to block me,” the 2016 Triple Black R 1200 GS rider told us.

“I did not stop and he did make contact with the bike. I hope it hurt.”

This motorist was fined $325 and three demerit points.

Lane filtering is legal 

Surely it is time for some major advertising campaigns in each state to advise motorists that riders are allowed to filter and what benefits there are for ALL motorists.

That was the major finding of an online poll we conducted in 2016, yet there are still few major ad campaigns.

So far, lane filtering education campaigns have been minimal and mainly aimed at riders, not the general motoring public.

We not only need major ad campaigns, but also roadside signage such as this photoshopped sign.

lane filtering signs consensus duty defend filter call charge
Here’s a sign we’d like to see!

We are not aware of any polls about lane filtering in Australia.

However, in California where lane splitting (filtering at higher speeds than 30km/h) is legal, polls have found it is vastly unpopular among other road users. The main objection is that it’s unfair!

That breeds hostility which results in stupid behaviour such as in the above video.

Lane filtering lane splitting America danger bosch filter call charge
Lane splitting is unpopular in the USA

So long as lane filtering remains unpopular and/or erroneously believed to be illegal, motorists will do stupid and dangerous things to stop riders filtering.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Watch out for unmarked Tassie Tigers!

Leave a comment

If you are heading down to do a lap of Tasmania before or after your annual MotoGP pilgrimage, watch out for the unmarked Tassie Tigers!

We don’t mean the extinct thylacine, known affectionately as Tasmanian Tigers.unmarked tassie tiger

We are talking about the Triumph Tigers that Tasmanian Police seem to have approved as covert motorcycles.

Unmarked cop bikes

Unmarked police bikes are civilian versions which have discrete emergency lights, sirens and cameras fitted, but no police identification stickers, numbers or paintwork.

While we are not exactly sure what models the Tassie cops are using, when we asked Police Minister Mark Shelton for specifics a spokesperson said they wouldn’t be “releasing further details for operational reasons”.

However, they did include this photo of a Triumph Tiger XRx adventure bike, so it appears they will be able to patrol on dirt roads as well.Unmarked Police-Bike

Here is the ministerial press release:

This contemporary patrol method allows the unmarked motorcycle to penetrate traffic by lane filtering and is primarily used to detect offences like speeding, mobile phone usage, inattention, traffic light offences and blocking intersections,” a ministerial statement says.

The initial trial in Hobart detected more than 1000 offences in the first three months with the majority being high risk offences and 1-in-4 being a mobile phone offence.

The unmarked motorcycles are fitted with full lights and sirens and three different models of motorcycle will be used.

Motorcycle officers report that there has been a noticeable change in driver behaviour and the introduction of helmet-mounted recording cameras has led to only one person challenging an infringement.

The program has also received strong public support with many motorists supportive of mobile phone enforcement and other offences that contribute to traffic congestion.

Is it sneaky?

Police using covert TruCAM laser speed camera impossible
Police using TruCAM laser speed camera in an unmarked car with tinted windows

Using unmarked motorcycles or cars to patrol for traffic offences is similar to the use of covert speed cameras.

The Minister’s assertion that the public approves of such covert traffic policing may be askew, says the Australian Motorcycle Council.

“The perception of unmarked vehicles has changed as result of other aspects of an increasing surveillance culture by governments,” the AMC says.

“Marked police vehicles in all states are a visible presence which positively influences road behaviour, often to improve rider safety.

“Unmarked police vehicles such as used by detective agencies are understandable, but unmarked vehicles for road law enforcement appear more punitive as they have no perceived positive role in encouraging good roadcraft.

“A great opportunity exists if well-trained police riders were tasked with giving words of advice to riders displaying poor skills. A good rider is a good risk manager.”

Unmarked cops

Road safety crash accident motorcycle
Unmarked police bikes

Tasmania is not the only state using covert police motorcycles.

Police in most states and territories use a variety of unidentified road and off-road motorcycles, mainly BMWs and even a Suzuki Hayabusa in Queensland!

Queensland Police Service unmarked Suzuki Hayabusa patrol bike - Ducati Panigale V4 busa covert
Queensland cop Busa

Queensland Police Sergeant Dave Nelson says he can scan a motorist’s speed up to 1km away on his “plain-clothes” motorcycle.

“So I can see you before you see me and by the time you realise that I’m not just a normal motorcycle, but a police motorcyclist, it’s too late,” he says. 

The QPS stays they use unmarked motorcycles as “both an operational resource and to engage with motorcycle riders to discuss and promote road safety”.

Queensland has a fleet of six unmarked motorcycles and “intends to expand its fleet with a view of targeting road users doing the wrong thing and promoting road safety”.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Two riders die, several injured in multi crashes

Leave a comment

Saturday was deadly for motorcycle riders with two killed and several injured as eight motorcycles were involved in three crashes in Queensland and Victoria on Saturday (20 July 2019).

Victorian crash

In the latest incident, Victorian Police say two motorcycles collided with ute towing a trailer at the intersection of Edwards and Paynes roads, Chirnside Park, about 4.40pm.

One of the motorcyclists, a yet to be formally identified man, died at the scene.

The other motorcyclist, a 38-year-old Ringwood east man was airlifted to a Melbourne hospital in a critical condition.

The driver of the ute was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Police are calling for witnesses to the incident or with dash cam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.gov.au.

Brisbane fatal

The 31-year-old male rider died and his 27-year-old female pillion was injured when their black Honda motorcycle collided with a Mazda 3 on Old Cleveland Rd about 2pm.

The pillion and Mazda driver, a 72-year-old woman, were taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Forensic Crash Unit investigators are appealing for witnesses and dash cam footage.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.

Quote this reference number: QP1901395867.

Five-bike crash

The 54-year-old male rider of a red Harley-Davidson motorcycle had his right lower leg amputated in a five-bike crash at Brightview, in the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane about noon yesterday.

Police say the Harley rider appears to have been overtaking a vehicle heading north when it ran into a silver Holden Commodore sedan travelling south.

“Four other motorcycles following crashed while taking evasive action,” police say.

The 54-year-old man and another motorcyclist were airlifted to hospital for treatment to their injuries with another three men treated by paramedics.

The driver of the sedan, a 36-year-old woman, was also treated for minor injuries at the scene.

If you have information, quote this reference number: QP1901395049.

Click here for tips on safe overtaking in a motorcycle group.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Riders charged over third-party GoPro evidence

Leave a comment

NSW Police are charging riders with traffic offences based on GoPro video evidence obtained from other riders, says Sydney lawyer and Ducati 1098S rider Chris Kalpage.

There have been many incidents of riders being charged after self-incriminating evidence was found on their GoPro footage, mobile phone data, GPS and even bike data loggers.

However, Chris says he knows of at least two occasions where NSW Highway Patrol have sifted through the GoPro video of riders to find offences by other riders they may have been following.

He says these riders have been fined for speeding, crossing unbroken and double lines, wheelies, etc.

GoPro evidenceShoei helmet with a GoPro action camera mounted

“I have had matters where a person may spend the day riding with their GoPro videoing their heroics coming up behind other riders who unknowingly may be transgressing,” says Chris, 61, who has been riding since he was 15.

“The rider with the GoPro is spotted at the end of the day by police and pulled over for some transgression that the officer has seen and confiscate their GoPro.

“Subsequently they play the video back at the station and then pay visits to anybody they see on the video.

“The police will then attend the premises of the registered owners of the bikes that they have seen on the videos and place a notice of demand asking that they identify who the rider was at the relevant time.”

Police rights

Chris says police may be within their legal rights to confiscate your GoPro or any other device if “certain prerequisites exist”.

In some places, such as America, police may first have to obtain a search warrant. In Australia, they don’t, so long as the search is lawful.

If police conduct a lawful search, they can seize your camera, SD card, phone, GPS or bike data.

A lawful search is where you give police permission to search you or when the officer has a “reasonable suspicion” that you could have an item containing evidence of an offence.

A crash is a situation where police might exercise their right to collect relevant evidence from victims, offenders and bystanders.

Riders’ rights

GoPro Chris Kalpage evidence
Chris on his Ducati

Chris says NSW Police are going to the home of the registered owners of bikes they have seen on video and formally demanding they identify the rider at the relevant time.

Of course, he advises riders approached by police to identify themselves to first contact their lawyer.

“They often wont show you the video and you will have to take it on faith that you were the relevant bike that was seen on someone’s GoPro footage,” he says.

“In the absence of your election the police have no evidence as to who the rider may have been.”

Chris says it could be difficult for police to substantiate a speeding offence based on the video of a following rider.

“It may be that the speedo of the GoPro rider’s bike can be seen but then it would amount to whether the rider is speeding to catch up with the bike in front or is keeping a consistent distance, and visual over a reasonable period of time,” he says.

“Similarly how do we know whether the GoPro rider’s speedo is accurate? After all, many of us change the sprockets of our bikes which can affect the speedo accuracy.”

He advises that there are many factors in video GoPro evidence that may be challenged, including the legality of the seizure of the evidence.

Click here for our advice to riders about confiscation of a device which may have incriminating evidence.

If you have any questions about this topic or other traffic-related matter, you can ask Chris by leaving your question in the comments section below.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

What! Cap motorcycle speed to 50km/h?

Leave a comment

Cap motorcycle speeds at 50km/h is one of the more ludicrous suggestions put forward at the first of a series of community road safety forums in regional Victoria this week.

The suggestion from an unknown attendee was actually written up on a blackboard among other strategies, such as more driver/rider education and fewer varied speed limits.

Victorian Motorcycle Riders Association member John Nelson, who attended the forum in Ballarat says that despite the speed cap suggestion being noted, it was not treated seriously.

Speed cap

“I believe it was a member of the public who suggested the 50km/h cap,” he says. 

“There were a few old people on mobility scooters having a whinge.  It was probably one of them.

“Certainly no-one in government circles.

“I told Roads Minister Jaala Pulford about it and she laughed at that suggestion.  

“But some people have a poor idea of thinking on road safety issues and solutions.  When I saw it I said we will be slaughtered. 

“50kmh is idle in top gear on my bike.  Perhaps we should make a mockery of that suggestion, just to be sure.  

“Even a more totalitarian government would not adopt that.  I think I killed it right there on the night.” 

Road safety suggestions

However, the ridiculous speedcap suggestion gives an indication of the knee-jerk “solutions” surfacing in the wake of a spike in road deaths:

“As usual, driving infringements and enforcing the laws are always on the agenda,” John says.

The Ballarat community road safety forum is one of several to be held in regional Victoria where road deaths have spiked at 72 compared with 41 in metropolitan Melbourne.

John says there were a few other “surprise” road safety suggestions.

“The Western Police regional command were strong on returning riders being retrained,” he says.

“The same copper also conceded that the Towards Zero campaign has failed.  The TAC will replace it with another campaign later next year.

“Clearly it will never work.”  

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Police plan National Day of Action

Leave a comment

Police in every state plan to immediately increase police presence on regional roads leading up to a “National Day of Action” on Tuesday 27 August 2019.

We contacted the police in each state to find out what a National Day of Action will involve, but they have not revealed anything specific.

One police media unit replied: “The National Day of Action is still in the planning stages. We hope to provide updates as the day approaches.”

National forum

However, they have all pledged to increase police presence on rural roads after yesterday’s national meeting in Victoria of all state road policing deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said there was “great value in the jurisdictions all coming together to workshop the challenges and consider short-term solutions at a national level, as well as developing some longer-term collaborative strategies”.

“From discussions it was clear there are some common challenges that we are all facing,” she says.

“A particular trend is the increasing trauma on our rural and regional roads, as well as the emergence of drug driving.”

Victorian Police have also previously called for a reduction of 100km/h rural road speeds to 80km/h.

National Day of action

Yesterday’s forum involving all police jurisdictions agreed to participate in a National Day of Action on 27 August.

They also resolved to “work together to look at ways that data and research can be shared, as well as a coordinated communication approach for road policing messaging in the community”.

It is unclear what this means for the motoring public, but we suspect greater road policing and more speed camera deployments.

Tougher penalties

Cops mobile phone penalties day of action
Police patrol for mobile phone misuse

The forum also follows a recent national summit on driver destruction in Queensland.

After the summit, several states said they would consider tougher laws on illegal mobile phone use while driving.

Victoria also included tougher penalties for all motorists for a variety of offences including failure to fit an L plate on a motorcycle and failure learner riders to securely fasten their hi-vis vest.

The Victorian Motorcycle Council has objected to the L plate offence and called for the mandatory hi-vis vest rule for learner riders to be scrapped.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Two riders die in intersection crashes

Leave a comment

Two riders died in separate intersection crashes in South East Queensland yesterday (3 July 2019) where it appears a vehicle has crossed the rider’s path to turn into a side street.

Details are not clear in the first incident early yesterday morning on the Brisbane Valley Highway.

However, in the second incident about 6pm yesterday, police say a utility crossed the path of the rider to turn into a side street.

It is identical to another crash on Monday in Brisbane’s north where a rider was injured when a ute crossed his path to turn into a side street.

A Sydney rider also died in a similar crash with an approaching truck turning into a side street last month.

In the latest sad fatality at Regency Downs near Gatton, west of Brisbane, the rider was travelling south on Gehrke Road when a utility travelling north turned into Lorikeet Road.

Two riders die in intersection crashes
Intersection of Gehrke Rd and Lorikeet Rd. (This satellite image and the photo at the top of the page of this intersection are from Google Maps.)

“As the ute turned, it struck the motorcycle causing the rider and pillion passenger to be thrown from the bike,” Queensland Police say.

“The motorcycle rider, a man in his 30s, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“The pillion passenger, a woman in her thirties, was taken to Ipswich Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.”

The ute’s driver, a 17-year-old girl, and her 17-year-old male passenger were not injured.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.

No charges have yet been laid in any of the above incidents.

Our condolences to the family and friends of those riders who passed away and our best wishes to injured riders and pillions.

Intersection crashes

This recurring crash scenario is not coincidence.

It is one of the most common accidents involving motorcycles and other vehicles.

In fact, it is the first of four common crashes with other vehicles depicted in this NSW TRansport vidoe.

The result can be lethal as the rider hits the car in a t-bone fashion, rather than a glancing blow.

Be suspicious of any approaching vehicle if there is a side street they could turn into.

If the approaching vehicle has its indicators on, assume the driver may turn without giving way to you.

Be suspicious of any approaching vehicles that slow down. Even if they don’t have their indicators on, they could still be about to turn across your path.

Slow down and prepare to take evasive action.

You can alert the driver to your presence by blowing your horn or flashing your lights, although the latter jay appear an invitation for them to proceed.

In such a crash the rider may be completely blameless.

However, it doesn’t matter whose fault it is if the rider is dead.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Police seeking information on two motorcycle crashes

Leave a comment

Police are seeking witnesses and dashcam vision for two motorcycle crashes, a fatality this morning (3 July 2019) in the Brisbane Valley and a crash in Sydney last week.

A 52-year-old male rider from Boronia Heights has been pronounced deceased at the scene of a crash at Wanora, south of Fernvale, on the Brisbane Valley Highway this morning.

Police seeking information on two motorcycle crashes
Accident scene (Google maps)

Police say that just after 5am a motorcycle and a vehicle travelling on highway collided at the intersection of Wanora Road.

The 43-year-old male driver of the vehicle, from Glamorgan Vale, was taken to hospital for treatment with non-life-threatening injuries.

Brisbane Valley Highway is expected to remain closed at Wanora until at about noon as officers tend to the scene.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.

Police seeking info

If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.

Quote this reference number: QP1901276238

Dash cam vision soughtnsw cops police Horror bike crashes in two states lying seeking

NSW Police are also seeking information and dash cam vision after a man was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash in Sydney’s south west last week.

About 6.55am (Monday 24 June 2019), emergency services were called to the corner of Canterbury Road and Christian Road, Roselands, after a Honda 350 motorcycle collided with the rear of a Hino Lorry Tipper

Officers from the Campsie Police Area Command and NSW Ambulance paramedics attended.

The 21-year-old rider sustained a fractured skull and severe facial injuries. He was taken to St George Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

The 30-year-old driver of the truck was not injured.

Police are urging anyone who may have information or dash cam footage in relation to this incident to contact Campsie Police Station on (02) 9784 9399 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Rider injured as ute turns across path

Leave a comment

A 28-year-old rider has suffered serious injuries after a vehicle turned across his path in Brisbane’s north yesterday afternoon (1 July 2019).

Police say their preliminary inquiries reveal that the rider on an “orange motorcycle” was heading south on the multi-lane Gympie Road, Kedron, about 5.20pm.

“A Holden Colorado was travelling north and started to turn right into Edinburgh Castle Road when the motorbike has collided with the car,” police say.

The rider, a 28-year-old Aspley man, was transported to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital with critical head and chest injuries.

His condition is unknown. Our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

The driver of the car, a Redlands woman in her 40s, was not physically injured.

Police have not laid any charges and are appealing for dashcam vision to contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.

Common crash

Most accidents involving motorcycles and other vehicles occur when the other vehicle is turning across their path.

The result can be lethal as the rider hits the car in a t-bone fashion, rather than a glancing blow.

There are a number of scenarios of turning-vehicle crashes where the rider is completely blameless and others where they are at partial or complete fault.

But in the end, it doesn’t matter whose fault it is if the rider is dead.

Most common turning crashes

These are the four most common crash situations where the other motorist is turning, often without looking for motorcycles:

  1. Oncoming driver turns across the rider’s path to enter a property or side street;
  2. Vehicle pulls out of a side street into the path of the motorcycle;
  3. Motorist pulls over to perform a u-turn without looking; and
  4. A vehicle in front suddenly turns without indicating just as a rider is overtaking them.

Look for these signs

We all know drivers don’t look for motorcyclists for a variety of reasons.

So riders need to assume the worst and look out for these signs in the above impending SMIDSY (Sorry Mate, I didn’t See You) situations:

  1. If an approaching vehicle has its indicators on, assume they may turn without giving way to you and look for movement of the wheels and the driver’s head turning;
  2. Be suspicious of all vehicles coming out of side streets (left or right) and again check their wheels and the driver’s head to see if they have seen you;
  3. Treat any vehicle that pulls over as a possible u-turn or at least that they will suddenly open their door and step out in front of you; and
  4. If the vehicle in front suddenly slows, don’t take the opportunity to pass them. Be cautious that they could be about to make a turn, even if they haven’t indicated.

How to avoid SMIDSY crashesTurning crash

In all the above four situations, slow down and be prepared to take some sort of evasive action, looking for a possible escape route.

If the driver is on a side street or oncoming, try to make eye contact with them.

Make yourself seen by moving in your lane.

You can also alert drivers to your presence by blowing your horn or flashing your lights, although these may be illegal in some jurisdictions and could give the false message that you are letting them cross your path.

Don’t trust loud pipes to save you. Most drivers have their windows up, air-conditioning on and the radio turned up loud, so they may not hear you, anyway.

Besides, in all these situations, your pipes are facing away from the driver.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Tougher penalties for driver distraction

Leave a comment

Tougher penalties for illegal use of mobile phones while driving will be discussed at a three-day Driver Distraction National Summit in Brisbane from Monday (1 July 2019).

If penalties are increased, there should be no complaints from motorcyclists.

Vulnerable motorcycle and scooter riders have long called for tougher penalties for distracted drivers.

They also have a unique perspective to see inside vehicle cabins where they have witnessed drivers not only talking on their phones, but updating their social media profiles and even taking selfies.

Summit crackdown

All state and territory governments will attend the summit which will also investigate a current NSW trial of roadside cameras that catch drivers on their phones.

Last September, NSW increased the penalty for illegally using a mobile phone while driving from four to five demerit points.

Now Queensland is believed to be considering increasing the penalty from $391 to $1000 and loss of licence for a second offence as in Canada.

Motorcycle Council of NSW Chairman Steve Pearce is also calling for mandatory licence suspension for mobile phone abuse.

“The growth of in-car displays is also a concern as they offer additional distraction to drivers in a road and traffic environment which is becoming busier and increasingly unforgiving,” he says.

Mobile phone penalties vary across the nation:Call to double driver phone penalties roundabouts distracted

Fines around the worldVietnam - double mobile phone penalties

Fines vary around the world from no fine in many Asian countries to thousands of dollars and licence suspensions in Canada.

New Zealand has an $80 fine which matches their low fines for speeding. Consequently 3.5% of Kiwi drivers use their phone while driving compared with about 1.5% in Australia.

Almost half (24) of American states have no hand-held phone ban. Some states only issue fines if the driver is in a school zone or committing some other traffic offence such as speeding. Arizona and Montana even allow drivers to text!

The toughest measures in the USA are in California. The state has a $US150 fine (about $A205) for the first offence and more than $US250 (about $A345) for a second violation and one point.

Canada has a distracted driving offence which attracts a $1000 fine and three demerit points. A second conviction could mean a fine of up to $2000 and a seven-day licence suspension. A third offence could mean a fine of up to $3000 and a 30-day suspension.

Fines in Europe vary from less than €50 (about $80) and one point in eastern Europe to €420 (about $A675) in the Netherlands and up to six points in the UK.Mobile Phones

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com