Road safety measures

New safety measures hit the road in Tonga

It is now illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, or to use a car without a registration plate.

Children must also be seated when a vehicle is in motion, and they can no longer sit on the driver's lap.

Playing loud music, extreme tinting and the addition of blinking, colourful or distracting lights have also been prohibited.

The new laws will be published on the Crown Law website on Friday, with police beginning compliance checks that day.

The Ministry of Infrastructure says the laws will make Tonga's public roads safer.