Mobile phone cameras Qld: Hundreds busted in first day of operation

Hundreds of Queensland motorists have already been busted flouting the state’s mobile phone and seat belt rules after just one day of the new hi-tech cameras being switched on.

Hundreds of Queensland motorists have already been busted flouting the state’s mobile phone and seat belt rules after just one day of new hi-tech cameras being switched on.

Authorities issued 366 warning notices last Monday to drivers caught using their mobile phones behind the wheel, as well as 51 warning letters to those snapped not wearing a seatbelt.

The cameras were officially switched on from July 26, but drivers will be spared fines over the next few months with only warning notices to be given to rule breakers.

Covert cameras designed to catch drivers on their mobile phones were switched on in Queensland last month.

Had fines been issued to the 366 motorists nabbed using their phone, the government would have raked in more than $370,000 in only one day of operation.

They also would have hauled in more than $21,000 from those issued warning notices for seatbelt offences.

In 2019, there were 13,280 Queenslanders caught using their mobile phones while driving, but this was before tough new $1,000 fines were introduced.

Authorities issued 366 warning notices on one day.

If the rate of warning notices were to continue at 366 per day, authorities would be able to catch the same number of people as they did in 2019 within just 37 days.

From November 1, the cameras will officially begin dishing out penalty infringement notices to those caught on camera breaking the law.

Authorities say figures from the first day of operation were “very disappointing”.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the figures from the first day of operation were “very disappointing”.

“But my hope is that there are now 417 drivers out there who won’t make that dangerous decision again,” Mr Bailey said.

“We committed to a grace period, so those 417 people that were caught on day one won’t be fined but they will be warned in writing.”

Warnings were issued to those caught on the first day.

Authorities are keeping the locations of the cameras secret, with drivers previously warned they could be caught anywhere at any time – including on regional highways.

Law changes were recently made to make it clear that motorists caught resting the device on any part of their body, such as on their lap, would be deemed to have broken the rules and issued a fine.

Drivers caught on mobile phones face fines of $1033.

The new regulations also clarified that a driver could use their mobile phone while their vehicle was stationary to pay for goods and services, such as at a drive-through.

During a trial of the cameras, that ran between July and December last year, there were over 15,000 drivers detected using a mobile phone as well as about 2,200 people not wearing a seatbelt.