Minimising distractions

Driver distraction occurs when a driver’s attention is temporarily focused on another task, object, event or person not related to driving.

Types of distractions

Driver distractions can include:

• mobile phone use (i.e. used legally, hands-free)
• a navigation system
• email/internet technology
• an entertainment system
• a loose or unrestrained object
• passengers
• pedestrians
• other vehicles
• roadworks/construction activity
• billboard/advertising material
• animals.

Minimising driver distractions

Before starting to drive, you should minimise any distractions by ensuring:

• your seating position, seat belt, head rest, internal and external mirrors, radio and air conditioning controls, and other vehicle controls are adjusted correctly
• passengers, cargo and other objects are restrained properly
• the windscreen and other window glass are clean
• the hands-free mobile phone is set up and operational
• the navigation system is set up and operational
• you are wearing the correct eyewear (e.g. sunglasses, prescription spectacles or contact lenses).

You can minimise distractions while driving by not:

• turning around or looking to the side to talk to passengers
• taking your eyes from the road to look at roadside distractions
• reading documents, maps or street directories
• performing paperwork
• using a laptop or media player
• operating/programming a navigation system
• eating or drinking.

Mobile phones

Your full attention is needed when you drive to keep yourself and other road users safe. It’s illegal to hold a mobile phone in your hand or have it resting on any part of your body, such as your lap, while driving. This includes when you're stopped in traffic.

The phone does not need to be turned on or in use for it to be an offence.

For more information, see the Queensland Government's Driver Distraction resources.