Hi-tech camera system to stop illegal mobile phone use tested on Victorian roads
VICTORIANS are divided on whether a red-light-style camera capable of photographing drivers illegally using their mobile phones should be introduced with some saying it’s yet another sign of the nanny state.
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VICTORIANS are divided on whether a red-light-style camera capable of photographing drivers illegally using their mobile phones should be introduced with many saying it’s another sign of the nanny state.
The technology — touted as a world-first — has been demonstrated to VicRoads, the Department of Justice and Victoria Police.
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More than 270 culprits were detected during a five-hour test across just one lane of the Eastern Freeway.
A separate survey conducted on three lanes of CityLink found more than 1000 drivers illegally using phones over nine hours — the equivalent of one every 30 seconds.
Authorities said they were always looking at ways to improve road safety but had no current plans to introduce the technology.
Many Victorians believe the technology is a great idea, but some believe it would simply be another revenue raiser for the state government.
“I am guilty of looking at my mobile phone,” Herald Sun reader Michael said.
“I think that knowing such a camera exists will deter me from looking at my phone.”
Reader Stan agreed.
“Texting drivers are a menace...............bring it on,” he said.
But Glenn said it was yet another example of the nanny state.
“No one does a world first quite like the nanny state,” he said.
“Now we can raise millions more to not prevent accidents, just like speed cameras.”
Reader Garry said authorities should go back to basic policing.
“How about less reliance on cameras and more police pulling cars over and speaking to drivers,” he said.
During the demonstration drivers were photographed texting with both hands, having multiple phones in their lap, and fiddling with devices on the passenger seat. Several were snapped using an iPad.
One Task project manager Alex McCredie, whose Sydney-based firm is behind the hi-tech system, told the Herald Sun: “These are the worst results we have seen in Australia. It really highlights what a drop in the ocean the current enforcement is.
“It’s not effective at all,” he said.
The set-up — which can be portable or fixed — combines advanced cameras with specialist computer software that analyses images to detect illegal phone use.
Each image is reviewed several times for accuracy.
The Eastern Freeway test in August found 7.1 per cent of outbound drivers observed at the Chandler Highway broke the law. More than two-thirds were using their phone.
The CityLink test last month, on an outbound 80kmh stretch of road at Albion St, found 4.7 per cent of drivers broke the law. Half were touching their phones.
Mr McCredie, who has had interest from authorities in Western Australia and overseas, said the technology was particularly useful on high-speed roads where it was harder to detect phone use.
The system could be used to issue fines but also yield information to better inform education campaigns.
“People will change behaviour when they fear they will be caught anywhere,’’ Mr McCredie said.
“If they don’t think there is a high chance of being caught, it doesn’t really matter how much the fine is.
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“The risk of enforcement together with public education has changed driver behaviour when it comes to drink-driving and speeding, and we need to be applying the same methodology to combat this problem.
“The number of people being caught is just the tip of the iceberg of the actual problem out on the road.
Mr McCredie said his firm was “definitely interested” in engaging further with the Victorian Government.
“In light of these horrendous results we would be interested to hear if they have had any further thoughts on how new technology can be used to combat this out of control problem,” he said.
VicRoads director of road user and vehicle access Robyn Seymour said: “We’re always looking for new technology that will help reduce injury and accidents on our roads.
“Before (it) could be adopted, a thorough analysis would be required, including system capabilities and limitations, likely crash reductions and identification of required legislative changes.’’
Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer, who said distraction was among the top five causes of fatal road crashes, said officers attended a demonstration but did not currently expect to attend further trials of the camera.
Members of the force’s Road Policing Command Strategy Division attended the camera demonstration as part of their “core responsibilities”, Mr Fryer said.
“Victoria Police will continue to look into new and emerging technologies as part of our commitment towards improving road safety,’’ he said.
“We do not however expect to attend any further trials in respect to this camera at this time.
“The use of mobiles phones in cars is significant and that’s why we’ll continue to evaluate and consider the viability of contemporary road safety initiatives.”
Mr Fryer said mobile phone use while driving could be deadly.
“We used to see drivers put the phone to their ear, we now see them using their phones on their laps and when taking their eyes off the roads to look down,” he said.
“The offending is more dangerous than we have ever seen before.”
The Herald Sun last month revealed police were riding in SUVs, and had increased motorbike patrols, so as to better spot sneaky drivers using phones in their laps.
Greater difficulty in detecting drivers using phones has coincided with a decline in the number of drivers caught doing so in recent years.
About 23,000 were nabbed statewide in the 10 months to April.