Road traffic laws

Failing to comply with road traffic law generally leads to convictions for the driver, and potentially the Operator licence holder.

Common causes for non-compliance

It's an offence to drive a vehicle in a position that doesn't give you proper control of the vehicle or a full view of the road ahead.

This offence covers a multitude of situations, such as:

  • Talking on a hands-free phone.
  • Using the keys on a hands-free phone. A phone or device is hand-held if it has to be held to use it. This includes cradling the phone between ear and their shoulder.
  • Eating, smoking or drinking.
  • Talking to passengers in the vehicle.
  • Map reading.
  • Using satellite navigation systems.
  • Using a two-way radio.
  • Changing a CD or radio station.

The above offence also requires a full view of the road ahead. A driver may not have a full view if:

  • A satellite navigation system is poorly placed, interfering with the driver’s view to the front.
  • There is ice or mist on the windscreen blocking the view ahead.
  • There are furry dice, Christmas lights or stickers crowding the windscreen.