The Department of Transport and Main Roads is running an evaluation trial of transportable, mobile phone detection cameras aimed at stamping out dangerous and illegal mobile device use while driving.
Running until Christmas, the trial is also aimed at capturing people failing to wear a seatbelt.
The trial, using specialised cameras which can monitor vehicles across multi-traffic lanes, had to be postponed in April because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey said the high-tech cameras could be installed on overpasses and bridges or simply operate from trailers at the roadside.
“Legislation has been passed to permit the cameras to become a vital and permanent tool for road safety enforcement right across Queensland,” Mr Bailey said.
“I make no apology for cracking down hard on drivers who flout the law in this manner — the message is direct and very simple: Just put your phone away.”
He said using a mobile phone when driving was as dangerous as drunk and drug driving with 33 Queensland lives confirmed to have been lost in 2018 alone due to driver distraction, while another 1,359 people were hospitalised.
“The number is likely higher due to carnage at crash scenes often making it difficult for forensic experts to determine if distraction was a cause,” Mr Bailey said.
He said however that Queensland drivers caught doing the wrong thing during the six-month trial would not be fined or receive a photograph of their illegal behaviour.
“Initially, we are simply evaluating the cameras’ effectiveness,” the Minister said.
