Bicycle Network pushes for hi-tech devices to stop mobile phone use by motorists

THE state’s cycling lobby group has called on governments to counter mobile-­obsessed drivers by making hi-tech phone signal blocking devices mandatory in every Australian car. Do you agree? Take our poll.

HI-TECH devices to block out phone signals would be installed in every Australian car under a radical proposal from Victoria’s cycling lobby group.

The Bicycle Network has called on governments to counter mobile-­obsessed drivers by making such technology mandatory in vehicles.

But the plan will be controversial because the devices could also cut reception to passengers’ phones — and prevent the use of mobiles in an emergency.

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Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards, speaking after the ­release of a new Canberra report forecasting more deaths on ­Victorian roads due to mobile phone use, said “one-armed” drivers needed to be prevented from using their phones.

“This dire prediction of increased loss of life highlights that cars should be fitted with phone-blocking technology,” he said.

“As bike riders, we can see into cars and what drivers are up to. Every day we despair when we see drivers texting or just mucking around on Facebook. We understand the addictive lure of the phone, but it’s risking lives.”

The report, by the federal Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and ­Regional Economics, forecasts that texting, web browsing and other such phone use by drivers will help push Victoria’s annual road toll to 329 by 2030, up from 258 last year. “Improvements in vehicle and ­infrastructure safety are expected to be more than offset by increased car travel and distraction from mobile phones and other devices,” it says.

“New measures will be required to offset the growth in fatalities ­associated with increased traffic volumes.”

Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer, the state’s top traffic cop, said on Wednesday night that current laws allowed phone calls to come in (to drivers) via Bluetooth only.

“When it comes to data, we’re ­really keen to explore how we can block data coming into the driver of the vehicle only,” he said.

A report predicts the road toll will rise because of higher traffic volumes and increased phone use. Picture: John Grainger

Earlier this month the Herald Sun revealed more than 80 drivers are busted using their phones a day, including some who take selfies behind the wheel.

Under the Bicycle Network plan, small blackout devices would be fitted inside every car to cut off all phone signals while the motorist was travelling.

Although the technology is only in its early stages, each device is expected to cost thousands of dollars for every vehicle installation.

Mr Richards said current policing methods were not curbing mobile phone use.

“We need to take phone use out of the hands of drivers,” he said.

“Until that happens, whenever you get behind the wheel, you should turn off your phone and put it well out of the reach.”

Macca’s view.

Mr Richards acknowledged there were concerns that jammers could block emergency phone calls after serious crashes but said action needed to be taken.

“We don’t want to be providing for circumstances after there is a crash we want to be doing things that stop them in the first place,” he said.

“This is normal behaviour when you get on a plane and it is the next logical step in things we’ve done along the way to reduce road trauma.”

In the United Kingdom government ministers were reported to be considering the technology and are believed to have met with car manufacturers.

A Bicycle Network report found that the average number of bike fatalities in Australia had remained at 37 over the past 20 years.

“It’s unacceptable that bike rider deaths have not decreased in two decades, and it’s absurd that they could increase,” Mr Richards said.

“However, that’s the reality we face if changes aren’t made.”

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