Qld government plans to introduce new laws charging drivers $1000 for being on their phone The Queensland government plans to introduce a fine of up to $1000 for drivers who are caught using their mobile phones while driving.  Currently, the penalty for being on your phone while driving in Queenslandd is $400 and 3 demerit points. The government’s intended increase is in response to the shockingly high number of road deaths in recent months. Whilst there has long been a government crackdown on drink driving, officials believe that distracted drivers are also a major danger on our roads and that …

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Gatenby’s Quick Summary: Court penalties are increasing by $3 a unit. While this may not seem like much, fines are often large multiples of units, leading to a significant increase in total penalty. These penalties are for everyone who is sentenced in Queensland. From 1 July 2019, fines in Queensland are set to increase by 2.25%. An appearance in Court will become more expensive with the value of the penalty unit in section 3 of the Penalties and Sentences Regulation 2015 (PSR) is set to increase from $130.55 to $133.45. An appearance in Court will become more expensive with the value of the penalty unit in section 3 of the Penalties and Sentences Regulation 2015 (PSR) is set to increase from $130.55 to $133.45. What is a penalty unit? A penalty unit is a prescribed amount of money that is used to calculate fines …

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Truck drivers need to be aware that from, 1 August 2017, all trucks with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) over 4.5t will be restricted to travelling in the left 2 lanes in both directions between Springwood and Robina.  Penalties including fines and loss of demerit points will apply. The restrictions are from the M1 motorway between exit 20 at Springwood and exit 82 Southbound and exit 79 northbound at Robina.  The rationale is that the measures will improve the traffic flow for the more than 152,000 vehicles using the M1 each day, particularly during the Commonwealth Games in 2018. The Department of Transport …

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Mollie Roper obtained an exceptional result for this mornings disqualified driving sentence.  Our client was charged with one count of disqualified driving and another count of disqualified driving whilst intoxicated.  The second offence was committed in the same week and while on bail for the original offence. Our client was originally disqualified from driving for a high range drink drive charge. Generally, for offending of this type a community based order and/or a period of imprisonment would be imposed. After hearing extensive submissions made by Ms Roper the Magistrate sentenced the client to: A fine; and The minimum mandatory periods …

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New Traffic Laws Introduce Cycling Reforms. Queensland has new traffic laws following the introductions of the Transport Legislation and Another Regulation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014.  These new traffic laws are primarily aimed at addressing the road safety of cyclists by introducing a new minimum distance of up to 1.5 metres between any vehicle and a cyclist.  The offence is set to carry a maximum penalty of 40 penalty units and the loss of three (3) demerit points. The new traffic laws follow the Parliamentary Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee  report “A new direction for cycling in Queensland”.  The …

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The Government today outlined its new coward punch laws and other increased penalties under its draft ‘Safe Night Out Strategy.  In what seems to be a theme of the current government’s legislative platform, existing charges are to be replicated with newly created offences and penalties increased.  The government has adopted the big stick approach by increasing the maximum penalty for drunken behaviour in an effort to deter outrageous drunken violence.  The problem with this approach is that young, drunken, predominately men, are unlikely to consider the outcome of their actions whilst drunk and accordingly, unlikely to think about the massive penalties the …

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Penalties Units Set for Rise The Penalties and Sentences (Indexation) Amendment Act 2013 was passed on 5 March 2014.  This legislation allows for the annual indexing of penalty units under the State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999 such that further legislation is not required to increase the penalty rate (unless an increase is to be above the indexed rate). The value of a penalty unit will automatically increase each year at a rate to be published by the Treasurer and if no rate is published, by 3.5%. Disclaimer This website contains general information about legal matters.  The information is not advice, and should not be treated …

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40 Cars a day seized under Hoon Laws Since 1 November 2013, police have proffered more than 7,800 charges under Queensland hoon laws for traffic offences including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, street racing, evading police and speeding at more than 40km/h over the legal speed limit. New Hoon Laws Under the new laws anyone caught doing burnouts, donuts, drifting or other hooning behaviour can have their vehicles taken off the road for three months. Any follow-up offending within five years will result in the offender’s car being forfeited and sold or crushed. Charges Between November 1 and December …

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Qld Mobile phone laws The State Government is considering new laws for mobile phone offences while driving. Motorists currently face fines of $330 and the loss of three demerit points if caught using a mobile phone while driving. Motorists need to be aware that even if stationary at traffic lights the law still deems you to be in charge of the vehicle and you can be liable.  You are considered to be using the phone even if you are using a function other than making a call.  Texting, checking Facebook or surfing the web would all be offences. Qld Road …

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New Penalties for driving offences New anti-hooning and road safety legislation came into effect today.  The penalties for offending are far more significant that those previously imposed.  Offences are broken into two categories, Type 1 and Type 2. The penalties are dependant on the type of offence and a Defendants Traffic and Criminal History.  The new legislation can be categorised as follows: Type 1 offences: 90 day vehicle impoundment for first offence such as: dangerous operation; careless driving such as burn-outs or drifting; racing, speed trials; and evade police. Towing and storage of impounded vehicle is at the driver’s expense. …

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