Police target hundreds of motorists in mobile phone crackdown

AUTHORITIES are pleading with drivers to keep their hands off their phones or risk serious injury or death with more than 30,000 fined in the last financial year. SEE THE HOTSPOT AREAS

Drivers using mobile devices while driving motor vehicles south bound on the Warringah freeway heading into the city pics taken between 7.30 am & 9.30 am

CLOSE to 100 “stupid” NSW motorists a day are fined for using mobile phones while driving.

In the year to June 30, 34,673 drivers copped an infringement notice for texting or talking on their mobiles.

An average of 54 a month are nabbed in school zones.

But even though the number of drivers fined for illegally texting or talking on the phone while driving is dropping — 52,700 were caught in 2010-11 — police and transport authorities are pleading with drivers to keep their hands off their mobiles, or risk death and serious injury.

Traffic and Highway Patrol commander John Hartley said: “Taking your eyes off the road even for a split second could mean the difference between life and death for you and other road users.”

Assistant Commissioner John Hartley has reiterated the dangers of distractions behind the wheel.

Assistant Commissioner Hartley said that since 2013, officers have issued 106,602 mobile phone infringements.

“Sadly, there have been a number of instances where mobile phone use has been attributed to fatal and serious injury crashes on our roads.”

While authorities say actual crash numbers involving mobiles are under-reported due to the difficulty of obtaining evidence at crash scenes, NSW Centre for Road Safety data show there were four road deaths between 2008 and 2012 where mobile phones were reported as a contributing factor.

There were 216 crashes in the same period where mobile phones were involved, resulting in the four deaths and injuries to 96 people.

Research has shown phone use can distract novice drivers, slow reaction times and increase chances of having a crash.

A study by the Monash University Accident Research Centre found distracted drivers cause more accidents than drink or drug drivers.

“Take responsible decisions and remember that there are other people using the road,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley warned.

Police are frustrated at the number of drivers still using their phones while driving.

NSW Government research suggests that 49 per cent of motorists make calls using a handheld phone while driving.

A further 55 per cent take calls while driving and more than a third of those surveyed in the 20-29 age group texted while driving.

In 2013, Roads Minister Duncan Gay launched the NSW Government’s “Get Your Hand Off It” campaign to highlight the excuses motorists make so they can hold their mobile phone while driving.

“Despite our widespread and targeted campaign, increased enforcement from NSW Police and heavy fines in place as deterrents, it seems some people just aren’t getting the message — drivers need to hear the warning; get your hand off it,” Mr Gay said.