If you thought that you were immune to the rule of the law while in the sanctity of a drive-thru location, well, you thought wrong.
Victoria Police have let the cat out of the bag on one of the lesser-known laws that govern our society, and revealed to the nation that yes, in fact, you can and potentially will be fined for using your mobile phone to pay while in a drive-thru.
Mobile payments are all the rage now, cutting crucial seconds from any transaction. But, with great power comes great responsibility, and that responsibility is still valid even on the cheekiest of 1am Maccas runs.
Taking to Facebook for a ‘fun’ poll, Vic Police asked their followers who was aware that you could be fined for handling your phone, while behind the wheel of your car, as you use mobile payments in a drive-thru.
As per MSN, more than half of the 2,6000 respondents didn’t have a clue it was a finable offence.
Rather than controlling us with a lack of information, Vic Police have instead empowered us, revealing the consequences you face if caught using mobile payments in a drive-thru depending on your state.
Looking at the list, it’s clear why Victorian’s were having this discussion considering they cop the biggest penalty throughout the land, facing a $484 fine and four demerits points.
NSW residents could have it worse, depending on your priorities, with a $337 fine, but five demerit points.
And also, rather than keeping us in the dark as to how we’re meant to behave while making mobile payments in a drive-thru, Vic Police have explained the safest, and least fine-worthy way of going about it:
“If you intend to use your mobile phone to pay at the drive-thru window, apply the hand brake, switch the engine off and then access your mobile phone. In doing so, you are not considered driving.”
You can check out the breakdown of the penalties state by state below.
Penalties for Using Mobile Payments at A Drive-Thru
New South Wales: $337 fine/ five demerit points
Victoria: $484 fine/ four demerit points
Queensland: $391 fine/ three demerit points
Western Australia: $400 fine/ three demerit points
Australian Capital Territory: $447 fine/ four demerit points
Northern Territory: $250 fine/ three demerit points
Tasmania: $300 fine/ three demerit points
South Australia: $308 fine/ three demerit points
