NSW to roll out cameras that catch drivers on their mobile phones
In a world-first, the NSW Government will be implementing mobile phone detection cameras to keep an eye on drivers who are breaking the law.
The government has been trialling the technology for six months and will now roll out the cameras across the state.
According to 10 Daily, during the trial, cameras checked 8.5 million cars. There were 100,000 drivers who were caught using their phones on NSW roads.
Andrew Constance, NSW Minister for Roads said that the ‘get your hand off it message’ is not getting through to drivers.
“Unfortunately some people haven’t received the message and think they can continue to put the safety of themselves, their passengers and the community at risk without consequence,” Constance said.
“There is strong community support for more enforcement to stop illegal mobile phone use with 80 per cent of people we surveyed supporting use of the mobile phone detection cameras.”
NSW Minister for Regional Roads Paul Toole agrees.
"The decision to pick up your phone can have fatal consequences," he said.
"It doesn’t matter whether you’re driving on a busy city motorway or on an isolated road in the bush -- there’s just no excuse for using your phone illegally."
The program is expected to roll out across the state later this year and will check 135 million vehicles before 2023.
For the first three months, drivers will receive a warning letter.
After that, it’s a $344 fine and four demerit points.