Qld mobile phone cameras nab 55k offenders in nine months

A driver caught scrolling on his phone while a passenger steers their car is one of more than 55,000 mobile phone offences caught on camera in Queensland.

A driver caught scrolling on his phone while a passenger steers their car is one of more than 55,000 mobile phone offences caught on camera in Queensland in the past nine months.

The shocking image shows the person with two hands on his phone, behind the wheel, while his passenger leans over to steer the moving car.

The moment was captured by one of Queensland’s mobile phone and seatbelt cameras, with the state government raking in $95m in fines from January 1 to October 9.

Data from the Queensland Revenue office shows a total of 55,662 mobile phone infringements and 26,366 seatbelt infringement notices were issued in that time.

RACQ Road Safety and Technical Manager Joel Tucker said it was concerning to see the number of people breaking the rules.

“It highlights that illegal mobile phone use and not wearing seatbelts are still huge problems on Queensland roads,” he said.

“Drivers need to get back to basics, obey traffic laws and take road safety serious. If it’s not for themselves, for their loved ones and other road users.”

A Queensland Government spokeswoman said the government uses road safety cameras to save lives.

“Our road safety cameras include cameras that detect people who are speeding, disobeying red lights, using a mobile phone illegally, or not wearing their seatbelt or wearing it incorrectly,” the spokeswoman said.

“Mobile phone and seatbelt enforcement occurs anywhere, anytime on Queensland roads.

A passenger steers while the driver uses their phone. Picture: Queensland police

“Their locations are based on where road crash injuries or fatalities have occurred where using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt were contributing factors.”

Department of Transport and Main Roads data shows there have been 245 fatalities on Queensland roads up until November 19, 2023. Last year for the same time period there were 257 fatalities.

“Driver distraction is a major cause of road crashes and contributes to almost 20% of serious injuries on Queensland roads.

“Failing to wear a seatbelt also has significant impacts on the outcome of a crash for drivers and passengers.

“Wearing a properly adjusted seatbelt improves the chance of surviving a crash by 200%.”

Opposition police spokesman Dale Last said falling police numbers under Labor meant fewer police to keep the roads safe.

“(There’s) greater reliance on cameras which aren’t driving down the road toll, but are driving up revenue for the government.”

Drivers who use a mobile phone while illegally driving and those who don’t wear their seatbelts or the passengers risk a $1161 fine and losing four demerit points.

Meanwhile 833 (1.4 per cent) people contested their mobile fines, 302 (3.1 per cent) contested their driver seatbelt fines and 975 people (5.2 per cent) contested their passenger seatbelt fine.

Of the total court elections received 1.2 per cent were successful in contesting mobile phone fines, while 0.33 per cent were successful contesting driver seatbelt fines and 0.51 were successful contesting passenger seatbelt fines.