Drivers across the MIA may need to be extra wary on our roads, after New South Wales police fined two separate drivers because a passenger in their car was on a mobile device.
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A Sydney woman was issued a fine for "[driving a] vehicle with TV/VDU image likely to distract another driver," which incurred a penalty of $337.
The driver took to social media to voice her opinion, after police told her that having a video-call operating in the front seat was a distraction.
"Tell your passengers to stay off their phones while you are driving, I got fined because my passenger was on FaceTime," she said.
"Honestly I didn't know that was a thing."
The second driver was fined on the Pacific Highway after his front passenger was seen using a laptop.
The infringement of "[driving a] vehicle with TV/VDU image visible to driver," carried the same $337 fine, but also three demerit points.
New South Wales police clarified the rule in an earlier statement.
"Any part of the image on the screen from a TV or visual display unit must not be visible to the driver while the vehicle is moving or stationary, but not when parked.
"The rules do not apply to GPS navigation systems, driver aids and infotainment screens."
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