Fines for mobile phone use while driving will increase by $70 on April 30
The fine for using a mobile phone while driving will increase from $80 to $150 at the end of the month as thousands of infringement notices were given out last year. Transport Minister, Michael Wood made the announcement today, saying the new fine will now match similar offences. "This is our way of saying Kiwis need to take this seriously and put away the phone while driving," he said. “Police issued over 40,000 infringement notices for this offence last year. Driver distraction is a serious road safety issue, and inattention – including from mobile phones – can have tragic consequences." Wood said between 2015 and 2019, there were 22 road deaths in New Zealand and 73 serious injuries where drivers were distracted by a mobile phone. Also during this period, 44 per cent of fatal crashes where a mobile phone was a distracting factor had a driver aged between 15 and 19 years old. Those figures rose to 75 per cent in the 15-34 year old age group. “Safety is one of our top transport priorities. As part of our Road to Zero plan to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads by 40 per cent, we will begin reviewing all road safety penalties this year to make sure they are fit for purpose,” Michael Wood said. Using a mobile phone while driving will continue to attract 20 demerit points - accumulating 100 demerits points from driving offences within two years results in a loss of licence for three months.
Examples of offences that have a $150 fine associated include:
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• failing to allow impeded traffic to pass
• use of lane to right of centre line unless passing
• unauthorised use of a special vehicle lane,
• unsafe passing
• failing to move left before turning left
• driving on a lawn adjacent to the road
• driving too close
• failing to give way
• failing to stop at a stop sign
• failing to drive within lane
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Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.5% Yes
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14.9% No
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2.6% Other - I'll share below
Test Your Wits! Today's Riddle Will Keep You Guessing!
Only one colour, but not one size,
Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies.
Present in the sun, but not in rain,
Doing no harm, and feeling no pain.
What is it?
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