In accordance with section 161(2) of the Land Transport Act 1998, the NZ Transport Agency, on behalf of the Minister of Transport, gives notice of the Minister’s intention to make a Rule to amend Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 (Rule 61001).
The proposed amendment Rule, Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule (No 2) 2009 (Rule 61001/5) will allow a driver to use a mobile phone for any purpose other than a text message, video message, email or similar communication, provided that the phone is secured in a mounting that is fixed to the vehicle and the driver manipulates the phone infrequently and briefly.
The recently-signed Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2009 (Rule 61001/4), from 1 November 2009, will prohibit the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving. The use of a mobile phone’s satellite navigation (Sat-Nav) function, or listening to stored audio or the radio on a mobile phone, would not be allowed. The proposed amendment will allow mobile phones to be used for these purposes while driving, provided that the phone is securely mounted and is manipulated briefly and infrequently.
For further information about the mobile phone changes, call the NZTA Contact Centre on freephone 0800 699 000.
