Posts Tagged ‘Phone Call’
Big penalties for using your mobile phone or GPS device when driving!
November 12th, 2009 | 
Author: 
Changes to Victorian Road Rules that specifically target the use of mobile phones and visual displays (like GPS devices); will take effect from 9 November 2009.
The new mobile phone rules have been revised, allowing both the navigational (GPS) and audio/music functions of a mobile phone to be used, provided the mobile phone is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle.
Mobile phones - Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, except to make or receive a phone call or to use its audio/music functions provided the phone: Is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle, or Can be operated by the driver without touching any part of the phone. Using a phone as a GPS while driving is prohibited unless it is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle.
Further changes include the prohibition of Learner and P1 drivers from using a mobile phone at all while driving and holding the phone (whether or not engaged in a phone call), which includes resting the mobile on the driver’s lap.
Visual display units - A driver must not drive a vehicle that has a television receiver or a visual display unit operating if any part of the screen is visible to the driver or is likely to distract another driver. A driver can use a driver’s aid such as a navigation device but it must be an integrated part of the vehicle design, or secured in a commercially designed holder, which is fixed to the vehicle.
Exemptions - The rule relating to securing visual display units does not apply to motorcycles.
Road safety reasons - Using a mobile phone or a visual display unit as you drive is distracting and creates dangerous situations that could be fatal. The risk of being involved in a crash increases by as much as four times, when using a mobile phone as you drive, and if you are texting the risk of crashing increases to 23 times.
Demerit points and fines - Over the next few months, Victorian Road Traffic Police will be actively enforcing the changes to mobile phone and GPS use whilst driving. Penalties for infringing these rules can be costly, not only financially but also from a “demerit points” perspective as well!
A standard demerit point deduction of 3 points now applies to an infringement of these rules, along with a $234 “on the spot” fine. A complete list of Road Traffic offences and applicable demerit points can be accessed by clicking here.
In Summary - Have your mobile phone (or GPS device) mounted in a cradle and “fix” the cradle to a point in your vehicle that doesn’t obscure your vision.
Consider purchasing a “Bluetooth” device that will allow you to receive and make calls without touching your mobile phone. The investment required for a Bluetooth device maybe the best investment you’ll make this year. To learn more about compatible Bluetooth devices and cradles for your mobile phone please contact us on 1300557520, or click here to send us an email.
The new mobile phone rules have been revised, allowing both the navigational (GPS) and audio/music functions of a mobile phone to be used, provided the mobile phone is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle.
Mobile phones - Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, except to make or receive a phone call or to use its audio/music functions provided the phone: Is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle, or Can be operated by the driver without touching any part of the phone. Using a phone as a GPS while driving is prohibited unless it is secured in a commercially designed holder fixed to the vehicle.
Further changes include the prohibition of Learner and P1 drivers from using a mobile phone at all while driving and holding the phone (whether or not engaged in a phone call), which includes resting the mobile on the driver’s lap.
Visual display units - A driver must not drive a vehicle that has a television receiver or a visual display unit operating if any part of the screen is visible to the driver or is likely to distract another driver. A driver can use a driver’s aid such as a navigation device but it must be an integrated part of the vehicle design, or secured in a commercially designed holder, which is fixed to the vehicle.
Exemptions - The rule relating to securing visual display units does not apply to motorcycles.
Road safety reasons - Using a mobile phone or a visual display unit as you drive is distracting and creates dangerous situations that could be fatal. The risk of being involved in a crash increases by as much as four times, when using a mobile phone as you drive, and if you are texting the risk of crashing increases to 23 times.
Demerit points and fines - Over the next few months, Victorian Road Traffic Police will be actively enforcing the changes to mobile phone and GPS use whilst driving. Penalties for infringing these rules can be costly, not only financially but also from a “demerit points” perspective as well!
A standard demerit point deduction of 3 points now applies to an infringement of these rules, along with a $234 “on the spot” fine. A complete list of Road Traffic offences and applicable demerit points can be accessed by clicking here.
In Summary - Have your mobile phone (or GPS device) mounted in a cradle and “fix” the cradle to a point in your vehicle that doesn’t obscure your vision.
Consider purchasing a “Bluetooth” device that will allow you to receive and make calls without touching your mobile phone. The investment required for a Bluetooth device maybe the best investment you’ll make this year. To learn more about compatible Bluetooth devices and cradles for your mobile phone please contact us on 1300557520, or click here to send us an email.
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Things you should know about mobile phone plans
I often joke with my new client’s that we (mobile phone companies) purposely make mobile phone bills confusing just to make it difficult for them to see exactly what they’re being charged.
If you’re often having difficulty making sense of the fees and charges that appear on your mobile phone bill then perhaps the information I’ve appended below will help you get a better understanding of how to accurately read and decipher your account.
HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALL RATES
Probably 80% of the clients I meet don’t have a clear understanding of their mobile phone call rates; or what they believe they’re are being charged and what is actually being charged are two completely different things! To calculate your mobile phone call rates follow these steps:
a). FIND A 30 SECOND PHONE CALL
b). FIND A 1 MINUTE PHONE CALL
c). DEDUCT THE COST OF THE 30 SECOND CALL (a) FROM THE 1 MINUTE CALL (b)
This will generally provide you with your “real” call cost per 30 seconds. You’ll now notice that the new 30 second charge varies from the 30 second phone call cost (a) that you found in your mobile phone bill. This variance is due to an additional fee referred to as “flagfall” or “connection fee”. If you now deduct the new 30 second phone call cost from the original 30 second phone call cost (a) you’ll end up with a figure that is your flagfall cost per phone call.
WHAT IS FLAGFALL?
Flagfall (or connection fee) is what I call the “hidden fee” that many client’s either forget they’re being charged, or in some cases, were never told they’re being charged. Flagfall is a “single” fee applied at the beginning of a phone call every time you “connect” to someone (or something) on the other end. Simply put – if you make a phone call and someone (or something) answers, you’re charged flagfall. If nobody answers and the call “rings out” no flagfall fee applies. Many clients ask “what if I get someone’s message centre, am I still charged flagfall?” and the answer is “yes”. In this scenario your mobile phone call has still connected with something on the other end and therefore flagfall and call costs apply.
CHECK YOUR WHOLE BILL
Call rates and flagfall fees vary from carrier to carrier, plan to plan and call to call (see we really do try to make things confusing!) and this greatly depends on the type of plan or plans you and your business is subscribed to.
To give you a rough guide, in my experience CAP PLANS tend to have higher flagfall fees than BUSINESS PLANS and on occasions some BUSINESS PLANS may have no flagfall fee at all. You may even find that flagfall (and call costs) vary depending on the type of call that you make. For example, a call to a “landline” (office number) may be charged at a higher rate than a call made to a mobile phone, or a call in the morning may cost less than a call made in the afternoon!
So as you can see there are many variables that need to be considered when trying to accurately establish what you and your business is being charged for mobile phone calls.
I trust these simple “Tips & Hints” will help you make sense of your next mobile phone account.
Jason Hellyer
Mobile Guide
If you’re often having difficulty making sense of the fees and charges that appear on your mobile phone bill then perhaps the information I’ve appended below will help you get a better understanding of how to accurately read and decipher your account.
HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALL RATES
Probably 80% of the clients I meet don’t have a clear understanding of their mobile phone call rates; or what they believe they’re are being charged and what is actually being charged are two completely different things! To calculate your mobile phone call rates follow these steps:
a). FIND A 30 SECOND PHONE CALL
b). FIND A 1 MINUTE PHONE CALL
c). DEDUCT THE COST OF THE 30 SECOND CALL (a) FROM THE 1 MINUTE CALL (b)
This will generally provide you with your “real” call cost per 30 seconds. You’ll now notice that the new 30 second charge varies from the 30 second phone call cost (a) that you found in your mobile phone bill. This variance is due to an additional fee referred to as “flagfall” or “connection fee”. If you now deduct the new 30 second phone call cost from the original 30 second phone call cost (a) you’ll end up with a figure that is your flagfall cost per phone call.
WHAT IS FLAGFALL?
Flagfall (or connection fee) is what I call the “hidden fee” that many client’s either forget they’re being charged, or in some cases, were never told they’re being charged. Flagfall is a “single” fee applied at the beginning of a phone call every time you “connect” to someone (or something) on the other end. Simply put – if you make a phone call and someone (or something) answers, you’re charged flagfall. If nobody answers and the call “rings out” no flagfall fee applies. Many clients ask “what if I get someone’s message centre, am I still charged flagfall?” and the answer is “yes”. In this scenario your mobile phone call has still connected with something on the other end and therefore flagfall and call costs apply.
CHECK YOUR WHOLE BILL
Call rates and flagfall fees vary from carrier to carrier, plan to plan and call to call (see we really do try to make things confusing!) and this greatly depends on the type of plan or plans you and your business is subscribed to.
To give you a rough guide, in my experience CAP PLANS tend to have higher flagfall fees than BUSINESS PLANS and on occasions some BUSINESS PLANS may have no flagfall fee at all. You may even find that flagfall (and call costs) vary depending on the type of call that you make. For example, a call to a “landline” (office number) may be charged at a higher rate than a call made to a mobile phone, or a call in the morning may cost less than a call made in the afternoon!
So as you can see there are many variables that need to be considered when trying to accurately establish what you and your business is being charged for mobile phone calls.
I trust these simple “Tips & Hints” will help you make sense of your next mobile phone account.
Jason Hellyer
Mobile Guide
