Queensland drivers face $1000 fine if caught using phone

[DavidsSling]

Queenslanders caught using their mobile phones behind the wheel will face the toughest fines in the country from next year.

Anyone caught using a phone will be fined $1000 from February 1, and drivers caught twice within a year risk losing their licence.

The fine is more than double the current penalty of $400.

Queenslanders caught using their mobile phones behind the wheel will face the toughest fines in the country from next year. (Getty)

Transport Minister Mark Bailey says Queensland will also trial cameras already in use in

NSW that are specifically designed to detect mobile phone use on the roads.

"They are the toughest laws in Australia - because this problem has been escalating," he told ABC radio this morning.

"I just can't accept the road toll - we've got to deal with this."

Queensland will also trial cameras already in use in NSW that are specifically designed to detect mobile phone use on the roads. (Supplied)

Mr Bailey says drivers already know they are breaking the law and risking lives by picking up their devices, and there's no need for a long lead in time.

"The safest thing for people to do is to change their behaviour right now because that means safer roads."

© AAP 2019

https://www.9news.com.au/national/q...nd-wheel/6798c669-d957-4e14-86b2-3bb13621d54b

 

[Viny]

With most cars having bluetooth connectivity, not sure why would one need to pick up phone.
And those old cars can get retrofited bluetooth communicators.

If nothing else, people have been using headpones from long time. It would be difficult to implement, but no doubt there are bafoons who will get caught.

 

[Signalian]

With most cars having bluetooth connectivity, not sure why would one need to pick up phone.
And those old cars can get retrofited bluetooth communicators.

If nothing else, people have been using headpones from long time. It would be difficult to implement, but no doubt there are bafoons who will get caught.

not everybody can afford modern cars

 

[Adonis]

Queenslanders caught using their mobile phones behind the wheel will face the toughest fines in the country from next year.

Anyone caught using a phone will be fined $1000 from February 1, and drivers caught twice within a year risk losing their licence.

The fine is more than double the current penalty of $400.

Queenslanders caught using their mobile phones behind the wheel will face the toughest fines in the country from next year. (Getty)

Transport Minister Mark Bailey says Queensland will also trial cameras already in use in

NSW that are specifically designed to detect mobile phone use on the roads.

"They are the toughest laws in Australia - because this problem has been escalating," he told ABC radio this morning.

"I just can't accept the road toll - we've got to deal with this."

Queensland will also trial cameras already in use in NSW that are specifically designed to detect mobile phone use on the roads. (Supplied)

Mr Bailey says drivers already know they are breaking the law and risking lives by picking up their devices, and there's no need for a long lead in time.

"The safest thing for people to do is to change their behaviour right now because that means safer roads."

© AAP 2019

https://www.9news.com.au/national/q...nd-wheel/6798c669-d957-4e14-86b2-3bb13621d54b

It's even worse here in Sydney, NSW.....

"A person is not allowed to use a phone while driving to send text messages, for emailing, to use social media or to take photos while driving. The penalty for using a phone contrary to the Road Rules is a fine of a maximum of 20 penalty units (currently $2200). The driver also faces five demerit points for an offence".

https://www.gotocourt.com.au/legal-news/use-a-phone-while-driving/

 

[Viny]

not everybody can afford modern cars

In India bluetooth communicators started coming as standard feature with music system as early as 2007. So I guess it must be more common in that part of world.

Also if one can afford gas for day to ussage, then it should not be difficult to get bluetooth communicator.

None the less I agree there should be less distraction during driving....but given that we are now so much connected that at times we cannot cut ourselves out of communications networks even while driving.

 

[KAL-EL]

That’s one hell of a deterrent

 

[Signalian]

In India bluetooth communicators started coming as standard feature with music system as early as 2007. So I guess it must be more common in that part of world.

Also if one can afford gas for day to ussage, then it should not be difficult to get bluetooth communicator.

None the less I agree there should be less distraction during driving....but given that we are now so much connected that at times we cannot cut ourselves out of communications networks even while driving.

talk to text is not enabled in all cars. Most drivers dont pick up phones to make calls - they either text or browse.