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Driver's $1033 fine for innocuous act: 'That's mad'

A Queensland man has been slapped with a $1033 fine after he was caught driving with his phone on his lap — an act he claimed he didn't know was illegal.

TikTok user bneofficial1 posted an infringement notice he received to his account, showing his whopping fine, along with a picture of him in the car with the mobile phone on his lap.

"It was a red light and i thought that would be ok," the user added in a comment on the video, writing: "This is straya mate."

The fine also came with four demerit points.

The man's phone was on his lap when he was driving, resulting in a fie over $1000 which was caught on camera.
The man's phone was on his lap when he was driving, resulting in a fie over $1000. Source: TikTok

According to the Queensland Government website, it's illegal to hold a mobile phone in your hand or have it resting on any part of your body, such as your lap, when driving, including when the driver is stopped at traffic lights or stopped in traffic.

The phone does not need to be turned on or in use for it to be an offence.

TikTokers divided over fine

TiKTokers were divided by the fine; some claiming they never knew it existed while others chastised the man for now knowing it.

"Phone on lap is a fine that’s mad," one user exclaimed.

"Bro I got done for phone use for having my phone on maps in my f**king cup holder, didn't touch it," one user wrote. "Apparently it needs to be in a holder! $1K fine!"

However, others said it's a well-known rule.

"No sympathy, everyone knows the rules," a user responded, with another agreeing: "You broke the law. what do you expect?"

"[Put] phone in glovebox when in car," suggested another. "No danger, no fines."

Fines for using a phone while driving in Australia

It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving in Australia, although the fines vary state by state.

  • In NSW, the penalty for offending drivers is five demerit points and a $352 fine ($469 in a school zone). The penalty increases to 10 demerit points during double-demerit periods.

  • In Queensland, drivers will be fined $1,033 and have four demerit points recorded for using a mobile phone illegally while driving, including when you're stopped at traffic lights or stopped in traffic.

  • Victorians will face four demerit points and a $545 fine if caught on their phones behind the wheel.

  • In WA, drivers face a $500 fine and three demerit points for touching or holding a mobile phone while not in a cradle to make, receive or end a voice call. If they are caught creating, sending, or looking at a text, email, social media, photo, video or similar, they'll be slapped with a $1000 fine and four demerit points.

  • In the ACT, driving with a mobile phone will set you back $487 and earn you three demerit points. If a driver is caught using mobile phone for messaging, social networking, mobile application or accessing the internet, a $598 fine and four demerit points can be expected.

  • If a driver is caught driving with a mobile phone in the NT, a $500 fine and three demerit points will be issued.

  • In South Australia, drivers face a $554 fine and three demerit points.

  • Tasmanian drivers will be fined $346 and three demerit points if caught using a mobile phone (when moving or stationary, but not parked) except to make or receive call from phone secured in mounting or not required to be touched.

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