From next month learner drivers and P-platers in the national capital will cop a fine for talking hands-free on a mobile phone.
The ACT will extend the current ban on calling, texting or using social media when driving to the use of Bluetooth hands-free or speaker systems to interact with phones while L and P-platers are driving from July 1.
The ACT government has acted on international evidence it is not safe to use any device while driving - risks that are amplified for younger drivers.
ACT Road Safety Minister Shane Rattenbury said too many young drivers were being injured or dying on the road.
"Many young drivers do the right thing, obey the speed limit and drive safely. These measures will support them and better prepare them for a lifetime of safe driving," he said.
Research shows drivers who look at their mobile phones while driving are three times more likely to be involved in a crash.
University of Canberra research from 2016 found three-quarters of young drivers had read a text message while driving in the past week, while more than half had sent at least one text message.
GPS-enabled devices can still be used under the new scheme, provided that the device is not being held by the driver and is programmed before the trip starts so that it requires no interaction during travel.
There is a similar exception for listening to audio such as music and podcasts.
The penalties for mobile phone use will be $589 and four demerit points for messaging, social media use, accessing applications and internet, and $480 and three demerit points for talking on a phone in hands-free speaker mode.
Australian Associated Press
