Drivers, cyclists face new $1000 mobile phone fine

Stacks of Townsville drivers could cop the toughest penalties in Australia after being snapped with phones in hand, talking or texting, while in the car.

Queensland today introduced the toughest penalties in Australia to stop people illegally using mobile phones while driving.

Drivers caught on the phone will be fined $1000 and lose four demerit points.

Repeat offenders, caught within 12 months, will be issued a double demerit penalty and could lose their licence.

A man appears to be looking down at his phone while stopped in traffic. He could now face a $1000 fine and lose four demerit points. Picture: Evan Morgan

Stacks of Townsville drivers could be subject to such penalties after being snapped with phones in hand, talking or texting, while in the car.

Drivers could be seen looking away from the road, fixated to their screens or losing themselves in conversation at busy intersections.

A woman talks with her phone in hand while driving on Dalrymple Rd. Picture: Evan Morgan

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the tough measures were necessary.

“We’re getting tough on distracted drivers using mobile phones because it is costing lives on our roads,” he said.

“A driver’s response time while texting is comparable to that of a driver with a blood alcohol reading of between 0.07 and 0.10.”

Mr Bailey said 33 people died after being distracted while driving on Queensland roads in 2018 and more than 1300 were injured.

A Townsville tradie takes a call while driving. Picture: Evan Morgan

“We believe that number was under-reported too, because it’s difficult for investigators to confirm the link between phone use and these crashes,” he said.

Queensland Police Service Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating said the deaths caused by people being distracted by mobile phones while driving were unnecessary.

Mr Bailey said there was a push to trial new camera technology that could catch drivers with phones in their hands or laps.

“These cameras are very mobile, so they can be moved around across urban and regional areas,” he said.

“I think, like mobile speed cameras, there needs to be that random element so drivers know they could be caught anywhere, anytime.”

Another woman on the phone while driving. Picture: Evan Morgan

What the new penalties will mean

• Open licence holders who illegally use a mobile phone while driving will get a $1000 fine and four demerit points. For a second offence, drivers will get another $1000 fine and a further eight demerit points.
• Learners will lose there licence after just one mobile phone offence.
• P-platers will lose their licence or face a one-year good driving behaviour period.
• It is illegal for learner drivers and P1’s to use a phone in any way while driving, including using maps, handsfree. Passengers cannot use phones on loudspeaker.
• P2 licence holders can use Bluetooth and functions like maps.
• Cyclists will get a $1000 fine for using a phone while riding or stopped at traffic lights.

A woman appears to be texting while in the car, which is illegal unless legally parked. Picture: Evan Morgan

Originally published as Drivers, cyclists face new $1000 mobile phone fine