Reckless drivers have been caught by roadside cameras doing the wrong thing behind the wheel

Disturbing footage obtained from one state’s roadside camera network has exposed some of the outrageous acts drivers are performing while behind the wheel - from nail painting to using a laptop at highway speeds.

Cutting-edge safety cameras have exposed some of the dangerous and irresponsible acts of some drivers on Western Australian roads - including painting their nails, eating meals and even holding a baby while behind the wheel.

Fixed and mobile safety cameras are used throughout Western Australia and have generated $13m in revenue following an eight-month trial period across the state.

Drivers were nabbed using iPads and texting on their phones, while one front passenger was captured holding a baby and another was steering the car while the driver was using their phone.

AI cameras caught a truck driver using no hands on the steering wheel operating a laptop, mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt driving more than 100km/h on a major freeway. Picture: Supplied

A driver was captured using a mobile phone while a passenger operated the steering wheel. Picture: Supplied

The WA state government started issuing infringements in October which has seen 31,855 fines issued for mobile phone use, seatbelt offences and speeding.

The cameras have detected some “disturbing” behaviour behind the wheel including a truck driver with no hands on the wheel operating a laptop, using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt driving more than 100kmh on a major freeway.

Another driver was caught with no hands on the week using a mobile phone driving more than 20kmh in a school zone.

One driver was caught with no hands on the wheel eating a meal. Picture: Supplied

Driver caught using no hands on the wheel using a phone and eating. Picture: Supplied

Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby said distracted driving and people not wearing seatbelts correctly were two major factors adding to the number of lives lost on our roads each year.

“Safety cameras give us more reach, more flexibility, and more opportunities to hold dangerous drivers to account,” he said.

“Our government gave Western Australian drivers eight months’ notice to change their habits behind the wheel, but some drivers are still not understanding the danger of their behaviour.

Western Australia roadside safety cameras caught more than 31,000 incidents of reckless driving in the first month of operation. Picture: Supplied

Passenger holds a baby in the front of a vehicle. Picture: Supplied

“As we head into the festive season, this technology, combined with WA Police on road presence and enforcement, plays a major role in deterring these behaviours.”

Minister Assisting the Transport Minister Jessica Stojkovski said the new safety cameras detected behaviour that previously went undetected.

“The message is: the technology is now out there, unsafe behaviours will get you fined, and you’ll incur demerit points,” she said.