Australia's new road rules start on July 1; Massive fines, slashed speed limits, and AI cameras target drivers
Sweeping changes to road rules across
Australia
will take effect on Tuesday, July 1, as state and federal governments move to reduce road fatalities and improve safety. The new laws affect everything from speeding and tolls to mobile phone use and vehicle registration fees.
New South Wales (NSW) will introduce a 3.2 percent increase to all road-related penalties, fees, and charges. For example, the fine for using a mobile phone while driving will rise from A$410 to A$423. Importantly, existing mobile phone detection cameras will also be used to identify drivers not wearing seatbelts.
Average speed cameras, previously used mostly for heavy vehicles, will now also target light vehicles, including passenger cars and motorcycles. Additionally, tolls will increase on several major Sydney roads, including the M7, M2, M5 South West, NorthConnex, Lane Cove Tunnel, Eastern Distributor, and the Cross City Tunnel.
In Queensland, speed limits in some busy pedestrian-heavy zones will drop from 50 km/h to 40 km/h. The fine for illegal mobile phone use will increase from A$1209 to A$1250, and car registration costs will also rise by 3.4 percent.
Victoria is expanding Road Rule 79A, which requires drivers to slow to 40 km/h when passing stationary roadside assistance, tow trucks, or emergency vehicles displaying lights or alarms. Offenders may face fines up to A$961.
Live Events
In South Australia, drivers will need to slow down to 25 km/h when passing stationary emergency or breakdown vehicles on multi-lane roads if the lights are flashing. Noncompliance could lead to fines up to A$1,648 and seven demerit points.
Western Australia will reduce speed limits across hundreds of roads, with some dropping from 60 km/h to 50 km/h and others down to 40 km/h in high-foot traffic zones. The penalty for illegal mobile phone use will rise to A$700, while extreme speeding fines may reach A$1600.
Authorities say the changes are part of a national push to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Australian roads.
Road safety
experts warn that distracted and speeding drivers remain a leading cause of accidents nationwide.
'Every change is aimed at protecting lives,' a NSW Transport spokesperson said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
F1 Standings 2025: Updated drivers & constructors Formula 1 leaderboard after Austrian GP
Briton Lando Norris held off a race-long challenge from his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to win the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, cutting down the Australian's lead and lifting his Formula 1 Championship hopes with the win. The McLaren duo fought for the lead early on, with the Championship leader briefly getting into the lead before Norris took the position back. A rash lunge by Piastri nearly caused a collision soon after. Piastri continues to lead the Championship with 216 points after the Austrian GP. The Australian has won five races this season, starting from his second career Formula 1 win at the Chinese Grand Prix. Norris moved past the 200 points mark as well and closed the gap between the two after taking 25 points on Sunday. He sits with 201 points. More than ever this season, the title fight focuses on the two McLarens after defending champion Max Verstappen was hit by Kimi Antonelli on the opening lap, ending his race. Verstappen is still third but now 61 points off the lead and has 155 points. Charles Leclerc was third for his third podium finish in four races, with his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton fourth in Austria. George Russell, who won the last race in Canada, was fifth for Mercedes and Liam Lawson sixth for Racing Bulls in his best result of the season. Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin held off Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto for seventh. The second Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg was ninth, and Esteban Ocon finished 10th for Haas. In the leaderboard, Russell finds himself in fourth with just nine points behind Verstappen. He is followed by Leclerc in fifth and Hamilton in sixth. (Both tables updated after the Austrian GP on Sunday, 29 June)
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Austrian Grand Prix 2025: Lando Norris secures third win of the season, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri comes second
At the Austrian Grand Prix, Lando Norris got the better of his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, to win the coveted event. The British racer was locked in an intense battle with Piastri but managed to race past Piastri in the final, according to F1's official website. The tournament was a disappointment for Max Verstappen as he was eliminated on the first lap. Ferrari registered a strong return at the Red Bull Ring. Their racer Charles Leclerc finished third while Lewis Hamilton came in fourth. Mercedes racer George Russell was in fifth place. At the Austrian GP, Lando Norris clinched his third victory this season, fending off teammate Oscar Piastri. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP)(AFP) Lando Norris wins the Austrian Grand Prix This is the third win for Lando Norris this season. The British F1 driver also registered his first victory since the Monaco Grand Prix last month. The British racer converted his pole position at the Austrian GP into a lead at Turn 1. Norris soon came under pressure from Piastri. At one point, Piastri managed to take the lead before the positions were reversed. Piastri locked up and almost ran into the back of Norris' vehicle while braking for Turn 4. The Australian lit up the timesheets for parts of the second and third stints. However, Norris managed to hold on to the first position and take the chequered flag. Also read: Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' passes key Senate hurdle amid criticism: Key details to know Oscar Piastri retained the top spot in the standings with 216 points. His McLaren teammate Norris is in the second position with 201 points. Max Verstappen is third with 155 points. About Lando Norris The 25-year-old made his F1 debut in 2019 at the Australian Grand Prix. He became a senior driver for McLaren at the age of 23. Lando Norris won his maiden GP in 2024 at Miami. He helped his team win the F1 Constructors' Championship the same year. Since then, the Formula 1 driver has been on a roll. FAQs Why is number 17 banned in F1? In 2015, Formula One racing's governing body announced that car number 17 would no longer be used in the FIA Formula One World Championship as a tribute to late Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi. Is number 69 allowed in F1? Yes, the number is allowed, but no racer has used it yet. Who is considered the best Formula 1 driver ever? There is no definitive ranking, but many consider Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton to be among the best F1 drivers ever.
NDTV
21 hours ago
- NDTV
Lando Norris Resists Oscar Piastri To Lead Dominant Mclaren 1-2 In Austrian Grand Prix
Lando Norris resisted vigorous attacks from team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri to claim a masterful McLaren 1-2 in Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix. In torrid heat at the Red Bull Ring, the 25-year-old Briton came home 2.695 seconds clear of the 24-year-old Australian to trim his lead in the title race by 15 points. It was Norris's first win in Austria, his third win this year and the seventh of his career. It was McLaren's first win in Austria since David Coulthard triumphed in 2001. The McLaren pair battled throughout the race to provide thrilling racing for the packed crowd and put behind them their collision in Canada two weeks earlier. Charles Leclerc was third ahead of his Ferrari team-mate seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, their best result of the year, with George Russell finishing fifth for Mercedes. "It was a tough race," said Norris. "Pushing the whole way through... tricky, hot, tiring, but the perfect result for us as a team, a 1-2 again. We had a great battle, that's for sure." For Piastri, it was equally demanding. "Intense!" he said. 'Hard work' "I hope it was good watching because from inside the car it was hard work. Yeah, I tried my absolute best." Liam Lawson came in a career-best sixth for RB on a desultory day for the senior Red Bull team after four-time champion Max Verstappen retired on the opening lap after being hit by Mercedes' teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli. He is now 61 points behind Piastri. Two-time champion Fernando Alonso was seventh ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto and his Sauber team-mate Nico Hulkenberg, the future Audi outfit showing their huge potential, with Esteban Ocon finishing 10th for Haas. After a frantic prelude, during which Carlos Sainz's Williams failed to leave the grid and then caught fire in the pit lane, the race was delayed for 10 minutes - before delivering immediate drama at the second attempt. Norris made a clean start while, behind him, Piastri passed Leclerc on the outside of Turn One before Antonelli locked up and lost control at Turn Three and hit Verstappen's Red Bull. A safety car was deployed as both drivers retired on lap one ending, for the defending champion a run of 31 races in the points. "I got hit," said the Dutchman on team radio. The teenage rookie apologised. "I locked the rear. Sorry about that," he told Mercedes. The race resumed after a two-minute slowdown and Norris was forced immediately to defend as Piastri, looking sharp, attacked as also did Russell on Hamilton for fourth. Both were thwarted by defensive driving. By lap 12, the McLaren duo were four seconds clear and delivering a show of their own. Unhampered by any embarrassing hangovers from their collision in Montreal, they raced side by side and wheel to wheel, but each time the Australian attacked, the Briton hung on. In scorching heat of 32 degrees (air) and 55 (track), it was a perfect advertisement for the historic venue in the Styrian Alps which had secured a 16-year contract extension to 2041 before the race. Norris pitted, taking hards, after surviving another Piastri lunge, at turn four, on lap 20. Piastri then followed suit, emerging fourth until Leclerc pitted. After the leaders out on track also changed tyres Norris led Piastri by 6.5 seconds. Red Bull's misery intensified on lap 30 when Yuki Tsunoda hit Colapinto, sending both to the pits for repairs. The Japanese rejoined 16th and last of the runners with a new front wing before being handed a 10-second penalty. As the field settled Norris led Piastri by 3.2s. Russell began the second round of stops on lap 46, followed by the rest of the leaders, leaving Norris to complete a near-perfect day in the Styrian mountains.
