An anonymous caller to a national radio station has revealed that she regularly watches television while driving. This confession has sparked concern among police and other road users because this dangerous practice is becoming increasingly common on Australian roads. The caller, a woman from South Australia, admitted to watching Turkish soap operas with subtitles while behind the wheel during a radio show called Nova’s Late Drive with Ben, Liam, and Belle on September 23. She explained that she does this to have something on in the background while driving and that she is fully engaged in watching the show, even reading subtitles.
The hosts of the radio show criticized the caller for her behavior, calling it “really bad” and urging her to stop. However, it seems that watching television while driving is not an isolated incident. In fact, one Reddit post from June 2024 shared a video of a driver in Australia watching videos on a dash-mounted mobile phone. The post raised questions about the legality of this behavior and received comments from others who had witnessed similar incidents on the road.
In July 2024, an Adelaide father of three was jailed for watching TV while driving under the influence of meth. Additionally, two people in the Australian Capital Territory have received traffic infringement notices for the same offense in 2024. The police in Victoria have also reported instances of drivers scrolling through their phones, texting, or watching videos while driving.
It is important to note that driving with any kind of visual display unit visible to the driver is illegal across Australia, with only one exception for navigation services like Google Maps or Apple Maps. The phone or screen must be properly mounted to the dash, and the driver cannot interact with it, even when the vehicle is stopped. Violating this law can result in fines and demerit points in every state and territory. Even if a driver is not actively engaging with a screen, they can still be fined if a passenger’s screen is within their line of sight.
Distraction is a major contributing factor to road accidents, which is why penalties for using electronic devices while driving are significant. Police in Victoria have emphasized that driving requires complete attention, and they conduct operations targeting mobile phone use. Mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras are also used to catch offenders. If caught, drivers should expect to be penalized.
In conclusion, it is crucial for drivers to prioritize safety on the road and avoid distractions such as watching television or using electronic devices while driving. The risks associated with these behaviors are not worth the consequences. Stay alert, stay safe, and keep your focus on the road ahead.
