You can’t drive with a mobile phone in your hand, but what about a cup of coffee?
Strictly speaking, alcohol is the only beverage that is specifically prohibited by the road rules.
But if you end up paying more attention to your coffee than the road, that could land you in trouble.
It is an offence for a driver to fail to maintain control of a motor vehicle – that’s a $433 fine and three demerit points.
If your coffee leads to a crash, then that could be negligent or reckless driving, which is punished by the courts.
“Anything that takes drivers’ minds or eyes off the road, or their hands off the wheel, not only compromises their safety, but other motorists, passengers and pedestrians,” said the Centre for Road Safety executive director Bernard Carlon.
Perhaps it’s best to use the cup holders in your rather than your hand.
