22-Year-Old Driver Fined for Little-Known Road Rule
A Sydney woman was unexpectedly fined for a road rule she did not know existed. Macrina Stivaktas, 22, shared her experience on TikTok after being stopped by police during random breath testing.
She explained, “I just got pulled over by the cops, because they were doing random breath testing. He goes, ‘Why is your phone plugged into the navigation?’ I was like, ‘Because I need to get somewhere.’ He was like, ‘No, you’re not allowed to have that.’”
Ms Stivaktas admitted she was unaware of the prohibition. The officer then consulted the road user handbook, confirming that plugging in her phone was illegal for someone holding a Provisional P2 licence. She received a fine exceeding $400 and five demerit points.
Macrina Stivaktas said tearfully in her viral video that the fine felt unfair, highlighting risky behaviours by other drivers that often go unnoticed.
Many young drivers may not realize that using any mobile phone while driving is completely banned for Learner, P1, and P2 licence holders. Sydney lawyer Avinash Singh explained the regulation to news.com.au:
“While full licence holders are allowed to use their mobile phone while driving for specific purposes such as navigation, P platers are not. Under Rule 300-1 of the Road Rules 2014, P-platers are only allowed to use their mobile phone if the vehicle is stationary and it is being used to make a payment, such as at a drive through fast food outlet.”
This rule aims to improve safety by limiting distractions among newly licensed drivers.
Author's summary: A Sydney driver was fined over $400 for using her phone as navigation on a P2 licence, highlighting a little-known but strict road rule for provisional drivers in New South Wales.