The top 10 worst suburbs in Sydney for using mobile phone while driving

SYDNEY CBD drivers have taken out the title of being the worst offenders in the state when it comes to using mobile phones behind the wheel. SEE THE FULL LIST.

SYDNEY city drivers have taken out the title of being the worst offenders in the state when it comes to using mobile phones behind the wheel.

Statistics from the NSW traffic and highway patrol show there were 2042 drivers caught using their phones in the city in the 2016-17 financial year.

2042 drivers caught using their phones in the city in the 2016-17 financial year.

The next worst suburbs were Parramatta in the west with 1292, followed by the inner city suburbs of Waterloo with 669 people booked and Edgecliff with 580.

Across the state, 39,007 people were detected using their phones while driving, a jump of 404 compared to the previous financial year.

The ten worst suburbs throughout NSW for using mobiles were:

Suburb	People detected
Sydney	2042
Parramatta	1292
Waterloo	669
Edgecliff	580
Surry Hills	562
Granville	560
Auburn	499
Redfern	480
Northmead	454
Mascot	435

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy says there is no excuse for drivers using their phones while behind the wheel, especially given road rules were changed in 2012 to allow drivers to make calls through a car’s bluetooth system.

“To have drivers with the phone up to their ears in current model vehicles that are fully bluetooth-enabled shows a complete lack of personal responsibility,” Mr Corboy said in a statement today.

Drivers in the CBD are the worst offenders. Picture: Mark Stewart

He described the continued increase in drivers using their mobile phones as “disappointing”.

“When you drive while using a phone, your attention is not on the road, on other cars, pedestrians, or on other dangers and it poses a risk to everyone who uses the road,” he said.

Some tips to avoid using your mobile phone illegally while driving:

-Use a mobile phone cradle fitted in your vehicle

-Get Bluetooth set up or installed in your vehicle

-Keep your phone out of reach — try the boot

-Just wait until you park — is it really that urgent?

-Put your phone on silent

-Get a passenger to answer your messages/calls

-Tell others not to call or text you when you’re driving

-Put your phone on flight mode

-Switch off some of your notifications

-Divert your calls to voicemail, and/or

-Pull over when and where it’s safe and legal to do so.