‘No mercy’: Hefty fines to be handed out on Queensland roads

Drivers will cop hefty penalties for two persistent law breaches, with new high-tech cameras targeting offenders from Monday.

The grace period for Queensland’s new high-tech traffic cameras is over, with motorists facing hefty fines for using their phone behind the wheel and flouting seatbelt laws from Monday.

More than 20,000 drivers were busted since July, with 18,000 operating vehicles while distracted, but the offenders only copped warning notices.

Motorists now face penalties of $1033 for driving while using their phone and $413 for not wearing a seatbelt, with Road and Transport Minister Mark Bailey declaring there will be “absolutely no mercy”.

The modern technology will be moved regularly across the state to areas of high crash rates following a rise in road fatalities last year.

Mr Bailey said research proved the distraction from using mobile phones while driving was as dangerous as jumping behind the wheel while drunk.

“There’s absolutely no mercy — we will be finding you and we’ll be catching you,” he said.

Thousands of Queenslanders were busted in three months flouting dangerous road rules. Picture: Josh Woning/AAP

“These cameras will be everywhere and they will move regularly.

“People will be very surprised to be caught on roads that they never thought they would get caught on. Enough is enough.”

Mr Bailey said: “We are totally unapologetic about getting tough.”

The location of the mobile cameras will be kept secret, and they will be moved to both urban and rural areas.

Mr Bailey said the time for mercy was over. Picture: Steve Pohlner

RACQ spokeswoman Renee Smith said the new mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras across the state were needed to improve lingering dangers on the road.

“We know on average around 29 people are killed and more than 1000 others are seriously injured every year on Queensland roads as a result of crashes where driver distraction played a part,” she said.

“More detailed rules around mobile phone use by drivers, along with greater enforcement of the road rules through these first-of-a-kind cameras will help to reduce driver distraction and improve road safety in Queensland.

“Sadly, we’re still seeing drivers refusing to wear a seatbelt. Seatbelts save lives – it’s as simple as that.”

Originally published as ‘No mercy’: Hefty fines to be handed out on Queensland roads