Central Coast drivers caught using their mobile phones illegally by the NSW Government’s world-first mobile phone detection cameras are now being issued fines and demerit points.
Drivers captured on camera doing the wrong thing will cop a $344 fine, or a $457 fine in a school zone, and five demerit points, or 10 during double demerit periods.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said more than 9.2 million vehicles have been checked by the cameras during the three month warning period, and over 31,300 warning letters issued to offending drivers.
“For the period 1 December 2019 to 25 February 2020, mobile phone detection cameras were deployed to unmarked strategic locations across the Central Coast,” Mr Crouch said.
“While deployed, the cameras checked 25,118 vehicles, resulting in the issuing of 192 warning letters on the Central Coast alone.”
Mr Crouch said fines and demerit points are a strong disincentive for drivers.
“Research has found illegally using a mobile phone while driving is associated with at least a four-fold increase in the risk of having a crash in which someone is killed or seriously injured. Texting while driving increases the crash risk even further,” Mr Crouch said.
“I would say to any driver who thinks they can continue to put the safety of themselves, their passengers and the community at risk – you have been warned and you will face consequences.”
The mobile phone detection program will progressively expand to perform an estimated 135 million vehicle checks per year by 2022/23.
For more information, go to: http://mobilephoneroadrules.com.au.