Police crackdown on mobile obsessed drivers who taking selfies and watching videos

RECKLESS drivers are being caught texting, making calls and even using Instagram and Snapchat on the road, with more than 80 motorists nabbed on their phone every day. Police are launching a new blitz to catch Victoria’s careless drivers.

MORE than 80 drivers a day are being caught texting, making phone calls, using social media and even taking selfies behind the wheel.

As police begin a blitz on such reckless driving, data obtained by the Herald Sun has shown that 13 per cent more infringement notices were issued to drivers for using mobile phones last year than the year before.

Road policing chief Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said the rise in social media use had led to a dangerous jump in mobile-phone driving offences.

“With technology and new mobile phone apps advancing, we’re seeing more and more motorists scroll through social media such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook messages and music playlists while behind the wheel,” he said.

A driver grasps his phone while driving on Elizabeth St. Picture: Mark Stewart

A woman using her phone while stopped at a red light with a child in the front passenger seat. Picture: Mark Stewart

“The style of offending has also changed, from holding the phone to the ear to now holding it in the lap and scrolling,” he said.

Drivers have been seen:

TAKING photos and selfies;

REPLYING to texts;

WATCHING music videos;

SCROLLING through music playlists; and

PLAYING with maps.

Some motorists have been caught using multiple devices at once, or even watching pornography.

A driver talks on the phone while driving on Hoddle St, Collingwood. Picture: Mark Stewart

Last week, a driver was nabbed watching a Steven Seagal movie, and Mr Fryer said also “just last week” a man was pulled over playing Pokemon, with kids in the back.

“We often get parents taking selfies of them and the kids in the back seat. It’s just fraught with danger,” he said.

Comparing texting at high speed to driving 100m with your eyes closed, Mr Fryer urged drivers to put their phones away, or on “do not disturb”.

“I’m sure your friends and family would prefer you to get there a little bit late than dead on time,” he said.

A driver makes no attempt to conceal the phone while driving on Punt Rd.

From January 1 to November 30 last year, 27,778 motorists were caught with a mobile phone in hand compared with 24,529 in 2016, an average of 83 drivers a day.

Police caught 8061 motorists aged 30 to 39, a 12 per cent increase in that group alone.

Mr Fryer said: “This year, we’ve had serious trauma on our roads where people have been using mobile phones.”

Road policing chief Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer says the message isn’t getting through. Picture: Mark Stewart

Brooke Richardson, 20, died after crashing her car into a tree while sending a text message. Source: supplied

Vicki Richardson began a “don’t text and drive” foundation after her hairdresser daughter, Brooke, was killed texting and driving on Dec­ember 4, 2012.

On her way to work at Cob­ram, Brooke had texted a client: “Hey are you still coming today?”

Seconds later, while travelling at 100kmh, her car slammed into a tree, killing the 20-year-old instantly.

Five years on and the pain has not eased.

“People don’t realise the impact it has,” Mrs Richardson said. “Brooke’s friends are starting to get married and have babies ... it’s these life stages she will miss out on and no words can describe what that pain is like.

“Don’t make your parents sit next to your grave on Christmas Day, birthdays and Mother’s and Father’s Days,” Mrs Richardson told the Herald Sun.

“Your life isn’t worth losing for a text, phone call, or Instagram post.”

Drivers nabbed on their phones face a $476 fine and a loss of four demerit points.

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