Dangerous driving and reduced concentration behind the wheel can have serious consequences. If you're speeding, affected by drugs or alcohol, tired, or using a device – you're putting yourself and others in danger.
Learn about the effects of speeding, impaired driving, distraction and fatigue, and what you can do to reduce them.
Speeding
Speeding means travelling above the speed limit. It can also mean you are driving too fast for the road conditions.
Research shows that even a small decrease in speed significantly reduces the likelihood of a crash. If a crash does occur, slower speeds limit the severity of injuries.
Several factors increase the risk and severity of crashing when speeding. These include:
- less time to notice and react to potential hazards
- a higher likelihood of losing control of your vehicle
- an increase in the distance required to stop your vehicle.
For more information about the effects of speeding, visit Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
Learn about following speed limits on Transport Victoria.
Impaired driving
Alcohol and drugs can greatly impair your reaction time and ability to safely judge your speed and surroundings.
Alcohol and driving
If you have been drinking, feeling sober is not a safe indicator of whether or not you are under the legal limit.
For more information about alcohol and driving, visit Transport Victoria.
Drugs and driving
Drug use can drastically impair driving ability and increase risk of crashing.
If you are taking prescription drugs, check with your doctor that it is still safe to drive.
For more information about drugs and driving, visit Transport Victoria.
Fatigue and driving
You do not need to fall asleep at the wheel to crash. Fatigue can seriously impair your ability to drive safely, well before you nod off.
Often drivers do not realise when they are too tired to drive. Avoid driver fatigue, especially on long journeys, by taking the following steps:
- get plenty of sleep before a long drive
- take regular rest stops, and when on a break take a short walk or stop for refreshments
- make accommodation plans before leaving if you think you may need to stay somewhere overnight
- share the driving with a travelling companion
- take extra care when driving between midnight and 6am as during these hours your body is most at risk from fatigue
- limit your speed on long drives.
For more information about fatigue and driving, visit Transport Victoria.
Mobile phones, devices and driving
Using a mobile phone whilst driving distracts your attention from the road and prevents you from maintaining proper control of your vehicle.
It is illegal in all Australian states and territories to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. This includes:
- talking
- texting
- playing games
- taking photos or videos
- using any other function on your mobile phone
- holding the body of the mobile phone in your hand.
Using a handheld mobile phone is also illegal when your vehicle is stationary but not parked, e.g. when you're stopped at traffic lights.
Drivers who break this law in Victoria face an on-the-spot fine and incur four demerit points.
Learner, P1 and P2 drivers are not permitted to use a hand-held or hands-free mobile phone while driving.
Hands-free kits
It is illegal to use a hands-free phone whilst driving if it causes you to lose proper control of your vehicle. The penalty is a significant fine and demerit points.
Although a hands-free device can reduce the physical effort to make and receive calls, it does not necessarily make phone use safer while driving. Consider the following suggestions if you must talk on a hands-free phone whilst driving:
- make sure the hands-free function is set up and working before you start driving
- keep conversations short
- do not engage in complex or emotional conversations
- explain to your caller that you are driving and arrange a better time to speak with them
- end the call if the call is distracting you from driving.
For more information about mobile phones, devices and driving, visit Transport Victoria.
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