Massive fines to come for texting drivers amid surge in deaths on Victorian roads
The fines for motorists who fiddle with their phones could be more than doubled under a new crackdown on distracted drivers. This is how much you’ll be slugged for texting and driving.
Police & Courts
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The fine for using a mobile phone behind the wheel is set to soar.
The Sunday Herald Sun has learned tough new laws are set to be introduced within six months.
It comes amid a push from Victoria’s top medicos for fines of up to $1000 for illegal phone use.
More speed cameras, an expansion of drug testing and mandatory driver training for the elderly are also being called for.
The state government is investigating the spike in road deaths with phone distraction a key culprit.
The existing fine for using a phone while driving is $496, with work now underway for a significant increase.
The fine in Queensland was recently hiked to $1000.
Road Safety Minister Jaala Pulford told the Sunday Herald Sun: “We’ve just had a devastating year on Victoria’s roads and driver distractions such as illegal mobile phone use is a serious road safety problem.”
“It only takes one bad decision to cause lifelong consequences for you and others on our roads,’’ she said.
Cameras capable of detecting drivers using their phones were also being considered, Ms Pulford saying the government was “always” looking at new technology to help keep people safe.
It’s understood technology interstate and overseas is being considered.
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, representing more than 1400 surgeons statewide, is backing the clampdown.
Dr John Crozier, chair of the college’s trauma committee, said doctors were increasingly seeing road trauma due to drivers using mobile phones.
“The penalties imposed in Queensland for mobile phone use while driving appropriately reflect the gravity of the offence,” he said.
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“The penalty acknowledges the significant contribution to preventable crashes which distraction by mobile phone use represents”
The Alfred hospital trauma surgeon Dr Kate Martin said some drivers wouldn’t “bat an eyelid” at the existing $500 fine, saying demerit points for using a phone also needed to increase.
“We do need harsher penalties,” Dr Martin said. “What hits young people even more is demerit points. It has to be consistent and it has to deter people.”
The college of surgeons’ suggestions, which also include a previously detailed 40km/h default speed limit in all suburban streets, have been put to a parliamentary inquiry into Victoria’s road toll.