Mobile phone cameras take $11m in fines in four months in greater Sydney, as 270 drivers fined a day
New data has revealed that more than 33,000 Sydney motorists have been fined for texting or holding their mobiles behind the wheel over a period of just four months. But not everybody is happy with the “world first safety technology” being used to target drivers.
Manly
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More than 270 motorists a day across Sydney are caught illegally using their mobile phones by new hi-tech detector cameras.
In the four months to June 30, more than 33,000 drivers have been slapped with fines — and hit with five demerit points — for texting or holding their mobiles behind the wheel.
At least $11 million in fines have been collected during that time period.
The latest official figures revealed to the NewsLocal come as at least two roaming mobile phone detection cameras have been operating recently on the northern beaches.
Trailer-mounted cameras have been snapping drivers along Mona Vale Rd at Belrose and on Wakehurst Parkway at North Narrabeen.
Figures released by Transport for NSW show that between March 1 and June 30 mobile phone detection cameras have checked more than 13.6 million vehicles within the Greater Sydney area, resulting in more than 33,000 penalty notices being issued.
That is about one in every 412 drivers who are checked by a camera being given a fine.
Drivers captured on camera doing the wrong thing receive a $344 fine, or a $457 fine in a school zone, and five demerit points, or 10 during double demerit periods.
Transport for NSW deputy secretary (safety, environment and regulation), Tara McCarthy said people were killed on NSW roads because of drivers illegally using their mobile phones.
NSW Centre for Road Safety figures show that from 2012, to January 2020, there have been 183 casualty crashes involving a driver or rider using a hand held mobile phone, resulting in 13 deaths and 245 injuries.
“We are committed to halting the trend – and that’s why we’ve rolled out world first safety technology targeting illegal mobile phone use,” Ms McCarthy said.
“Simply taking your eyes off the road for longer than two seconds, doubles the risk of a crash.
“Research has found hand held mobile phone use while driving is associated with at least a fourfold increase in the risk of having a crash in which at least one person is killed or injured, and texting increases the crash risk even further.
“Those who think they can continue to put the safety of themselves, their passengers and the community at risk — you have been warned and you will face consequences.
The use of detection cameras has majority support on northern beaches community Facebook sites, but one motorist described authorities as “mongrels” for setting up the cameras.
Another wrote: “Wakehurst Parkway is the last place I want to see someone using their mobiles while driving considering how many fatal accidents that road has seen.”
A resident posted: “There should be more of these everywhere.”
A camera supporter wrote: “I wouldn’t want to be the victim of a swerving car to hit me front on because the muppet coming the other way was texting and driving.”
All money collected in fines from mobile phone detection cameras goes directly into the Community Road Safety Fund to pay for road safety programs such school zone flashing lights.
WHILE DRIVING: Source: NSW Centre for Road Safety
It is also illegal to hold and use a mobile phone at any time
Use a mobile phone cradle fitted in your vehicle
Get Bluetooth set up or installed in your vehicle
Get a passenger to answer your messages/calls
Put your phone on silent
Activate the ‘Do not disturb while driving’ function on your phone
Tell others not to call or text you when you’re driving
Divert your calls to voicemail
Pull over when and where it’s safe and legal to do so