36k residents have say on mobile phone law: ‘Would make people think twice’

After a trial of covert cameras, from November drivers caught flouting mobile phone laws will begin getting fines and readers didn’t hold back when it came to sharing their thoughts.

Drivers who fail to wear seatbelts or use their mobile phone while driving can expect big fines, with the Queensland Government about to take things seriously.

After a trial of covert cameras, from November 1 drivers caught flouting Queensland’s mobile phone and seatbelt laws will receive hefty fines.

Motorists can expect to cop a $1033 fine and lose four demerit points if the cameras detect them using their phone behind the wheel or a $413 penalty if they are caught not wearing a seatbelt.

During a trial of the cameras that ran between July and December last year, more than 15,000 drivers were nabbed using their mobile phone while about 2200 people were snapped not wearing a seatbelt.

The Chronicle asked its Facebook followers if they thought it was a fair punishment and 36,000 people so far have responded to our online poll.

More than 30,000 people agreed it was fair, while about 6000 said they were against the new punishments.

Along with the thousands of votes, there are also 6300 comments with people sharing their thoughts.

Paula-Clare Bleakley said: “3 of those fines in 3 years and it’s no license. Would make people think twice about it.”

Desley Bailey said: “The law is no mobile phones while driving so it is what it is. If you don’t want a hefty fine obey the law.”

Michelle Vanderaa said: “You don’t need to use your phone for any reason while driving. If it’s an emergency pull over and ring.”

There were dozens of people who shared stories of their near-misses or accidents with someone who was on their phone while driving.

Sonia MacKay said: “I have been side swiped by a person holding a phone to their ear – they “didn’t see me” was their excuse. Big yes to fines and demerit points (loss).”

James Reitsma: “As a daily motorcycle rider to and from work I can say over 50% of drivers I see are on their phones. I’ve seen so many rear enders where I’d be dead in a heartbeat if it wasn’t for lane filtering.”

Bronwyn Hansel-Hope said: “As someone who was in a car accident due to another person texting while driving on wet roads I think this is the perfect punishment, although a driving ban should be added for a small period of time.”

Father like son: A male driver with a male schoolchild passenger both using a phone. Picture John Grainger

Jacqueline Burnard said: “Yes totally. After being in a nasty accident with long term chronic issues because someone was on their phone and not caring about anyone else… they deserve to be penalised heavily.”

There were also a number of people who believed the fines should be means tested, as it wasn’t equally fair for everyone.

Kim Charlton said: “Fines should be means tested. To some people $1000 is a small fortune, to others they wouldn’t notice.”

Simone Hains said: “Financial penalties are very unfair, a wealthy man would laugh it off but a pensioner would have to start an instalment plan. Financial penalties should be means adjusted so that everybody feels equally penalised.”

To vote in our polls follow The Chronicle on Facebook.