What Constitutes to Using your Mobile Phone When Driving?

The conditions according to them:

1) the vehicle is in motion; and
2) the driver is holding on to the handphone with one hand; and
3) the driver is communicating with any person with that handphone.

(this includes making phone calls, paging for someone, receiving a call by pressing the keypad, reading, writing or sending of SMS.)

All three conditions have to be fulfilled, before it is considered an offence. Drivers utilising their mobile phones when the vehicle is stationary are thus not flouting the law.

Hence, just holding a phone while driving, but not using it, would not be an offence. However, if there is still a loss of attention, and drivers fail to maintain proper control of their vehicle, it would be an offence of driving without due care.

Apart from mobile phones, including SIM cards being seized for investigation purposes, penalties for first-time offenders would be liable for a fine of up to $1,000, or jailed for not more than 6 months, or both. They may also face disqualification from driving. In the event that there is no disqualification, 12 demerit points would be given. Second-time or subsequent offenders would be liable for a $2,000 fine, or a jail term not exceeding 12 months or both.

Adding to that, offences may be compounded with composition amounts of up to $230, and offenders would also receive 12 demerit points.

To all drivers, drive safely on our roads.

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