Motorist slammed for making video call while driving

An Australian motorist has been slammed for dangerous driving by making a video call in traffic – although some people defended the act claiming the law is confusing on screens.

A photo of the driver conducting a video call while their hands were on the steering wheel was shared online by a fellow motorist.

The original poster claimed the driver in question was ‘swerving’ across the road and was almost ‘swiped’ by another vehicle.

An Australian motorist has been slammed for dangerous driving by making a video call in traffic – although some people defended the act claiming the law is confusing on screens

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Using the video function of a mobile phone – including face-timing, YouTube or any social media platform – is illegal in all Australian states

‘Take a look at this donut,’ the poster wrote on the Brisbane reddit page.

‘On a face time call and swerving all over the road – nearly got side swiped by a truck.’

A bus driver wrote that he sees people using their phones in similar ways in their cars ‘more than daily’.

‘FaceTime calls, browsing social media, watching YouTube. You name it, idiots have done it,’ he said.

‘Saw a guy reading a book and eating cereal from a bowl in peak hour traffic one morning on Gympie Road,’ another commented.  

One commenter claimed the driver might only get caught if seen by an officer alongside the car because traffic cameras only take photos from above.

One person thought the driver’s actions might have been ‘technically legal’ because they were not touching the screen at the time. 

But they were quickly corrected by others. 

Using the video function of a mobile phone – including face-timing, YouTube or any social media platform – is illegal in all Australian states.

In Queensland it is punishable with fines of up to $1,078 and four demerit points. 

Under Queensland laws, a driver cannot have a television or display screen on or in use in a vehicle unless it is parked. 

Functions like on-screen GPS, CCTV, parking cameras and dispatch are exempt and allowed.

The rules are similar outside of Queensland too. 

It is prohibited to make or receive video calls in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT and Western Australia.