SA Government increases fine for using mobile phone while driving — but risky motorists don’t care

Frustrated police are considering new measures to curb the use of mobile phones while driving as figures show a hefty fine increase has done nothing to deter the potentially deadly behaviour. TAKE OUR POLL

• Distracted driving is the biggest killer on SA roads
• Prizes, discounts, freebies: Check out the latest subscriber rewards

A $200 spike in the penalty for using a mobile phone behind the wheel has failed to deter drivers, as figures show police are catching more motorists each day since the increase.

As a safety blitz busted 422 distracted drivers in just five days last week, The Advertiser can reveal SA Police and the State Government are receptive to new measures, including increased demerit points, to curb the deadly behaviour.

Police say they are “genuinely concerned” about the high numbers of motorists caught using a mobile phone while driving.

More than one in three fatal crashes so far this year have been linked to distraction and many of those are from mobile phone use.

The rise in distracted drivers has been described as “disturbing” by the state’s peak motoring body, which has urged greater education on the “potentially catastrophic consequences”.

Police caught 2519 learner, provisional and full licence holders – at a rate of more than 27 a day – illegally using a mobile phone between July 1 and September 30 this year.

This is compared with a detection rate of almost 20 motorists a day during the 2018-19 financial year, when 7228 drivers were nabbed and the fine was $200 cheaper.

A distracted driver using their mobile phone at the intersection of Montefiore Rd and North Tce in Adelaide. Picture: Tait Schmaal

The fine for using a mobile phone while driving increased 60 per cent from $334 to $534 on July 1 as part of the State Government’s new fees targeting law-breaking motorists.

Demerit points incurred for the offence remained unchanged at three.

The number of demerit points varies across Australia from three in several jurisdictions up to five in NSW, where double demerit periods take the total to 10.

Treasurer Rob Lucas said in May that “brainless idiots who blatantly thumb their nose at the law, risking the lives of others on our roads, ought to be whacked”.

Police Minister Corey Wingard said he was open to considering other punitive measures.

“Regarding double demerits, I am always happy to take recommendations from the Commissioner,” Mr Wingard told The Advertiser.

“It is disappointing that anyone thinks it is OK to use their mobile phone while driving. It is dangerous and it puts people’s lives at risk.”

A police spokesman: “(We are) always open minded on examining any new initiative which could potentially reduce the volume of road deaths and serious injury crashes caused by distraction – particularly those resulting from mobile telephone usage.”

The spokesman said 36 per cent of all fatal crashes so far this year were a direct result of some form of distraction – many from using a mobile phone while driving.

“It is of genuine concern that there are still far too many people on our roads being detected using their mobile telephones whilst driving a motor vehicle,” the spokesman said.

“Empirical research has highlighted that a person is four times more likely to be involved in a crash if they are using a mobile telephone whilst driving.”

A distracted driver using their mobile phone on South Rd at Everard Park. Picture: Mark Brake/AAP

The $534 fine, and $60 victims of crime levy applied to traffic offences, has generated almost $1.1 million revenue in three months – more than half of the $2 million raised in 2018-19.

RAA safety and infrastructure senior manager Charles Mountain said further increasing penalties “might not bring about a change in behaviour”.

Mr Mountain said it was “crucially important” to educate drivers about the dangers of distraction and the safety risks of using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

“It is disturbing that motorists continue to put their lives and those of other people at risk by illegally using mobile phones while driving,” he said.

“The focus should continue to be on education about the broader issue of driver distraction and its potentially catastrophic consequences.

“Education about distraction can begin in the classroom before young people become motorists … involve those businesses that employ professional drivers and also advertising campaigns.”

Originally published as SA Government increases fine for using mobile phone while driving — but risky motorists don’t care