This weekend, a single phone call could cost you your licence

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View Subscription OffersBega District News' complete view of propertyHome/News/Latest NewsThis weekend, a single phone call could cost you your licenceBy Glen HumphriesUpdated September 28

2018 - 2:19pm, first published 2:18pmBy Glen HumphriesUpdated September 28 2018 - 2:19pm, first published 2:18pmFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopyUsing your mobile phone while driving this

weekend will come with a very heavy punishment indeed. This weekend, it’s highly likely a motorist will lose their licence because they used their mobile phone.

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50% off EOFY SaleAll articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperAll other regional websites in your areaContinue This is the first double demerit period since the

government increased the penalty for mobile phone use.

Last month, the number of demerit points for using a mobile phone jumped from four to five.

During a double demerit period that means any driver who is caught will cop a massive 10 points.

With Friday a designated school day, school zones are still in force and mobile phone use in those areas will attract an extra demerit point.

So a single phone call could cost a driver as many as 11 points.

With unrestricted licences having a maximum of 13 points before the driver loses it, a phone call while driving will leave people with only a few points left.

And those few points will have to last them for the next three years.

The fine for mobile phone use remains unchanged at $337 – or $448 in a school zone.

The rules governing mobile phone use for unrestricted drivers are very strict; basically, unless it is in a commercially manufactured cradle, you cannot touch your phone.

Contrary to popular opinion, this means you cannot rest the phone in your lap while talking via loudspeaker.

Calls made via Bluetooth are allowed, even if the phone is in your pocket – as long as you don't touch the phone.

Drivers on their Ls or Ps are not allowed to use a mobile phone at all while driving.

ShareFacebookTwitterWhatsappEmailCopyGlen HumphriesSenior journalistI'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in

newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.I'm an

award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the

Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.More from Latest NewsBridge project points to the future of arts festivals17m

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