Almost 200 fined $1000 for mobile phone use while driving

The State Government has revealed how many drivers have copped tough new fines for mobile phone use in the first five days of tough new laws.

ALMOST 200 people have been slugged with $1000 fines for using their mobile phones while driving since the new penalty came into effect.

On February 1, the State Government increased the fines from $400 and three demerit points to $1000 and four demerit points.

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Now the State Government has vowed offenders will “pay for it”.

In the first five days of the new penalty, 195 people were busted – raising a total of $195,000 for the state.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey – who advocated for the increase – said the hefty price would come as a shock to most people, but it would save lives.

“I’ve got no doubt the fines will shock them,” Mr Bailey told The Courier-Mail.

“That’s the intention and we make no apologies for it.”

With the increase in demerit points, it means drivers who are caught using their phones while driving now stand to lose their licences if they are caught again in the next 12 months.

“It’s easy to send a text or have a quick scan of social media when you’re driving, but that ‘like’ is not worth your life or the life of someone else.”

Thirty-three people died on Queensland roads in 2018 because of distracted driving.

“That number is likely higher because it can be hard to prove distraction as a cause after a crash,” Mr Bailey said.