The Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate has launched an awareness campaign following legislation approving the rollout of mobile phone detection cameras on Canberra roads by early next year.
Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel said, under the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Amendment Bill 2021, the new cameras would reduce driver distraction, which was a major cause of accidents, and help make Canberra’s roads safer for all users.
“Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds doubles the risk of a crash, with mobile phones too often being the source of that distraction,” Mr Steel said.
“A driver who looks at their phone for just two seconds while driving at 60 kilometres an hour travels 33 metres blind,” he said.
“We want Canberrans to understand that any time you take your eyes off the road to use your mobile phone while driving, you’re risking your own life and the lives of other road users.”
Mr Steel said ACT Policing issued more than 1,000 infringements last year for using a mobile device while driving and the actual rate of offending was likely to be much higher.
The Minister said the Directorate’s campaign would raise community awareness of the risks of distracted driving and ensure people understood the rules on using mobile devices while behind the wheel.
He said the campaign included TV, radio, digital and out-of-home advertising, and would be delivered in several phases in the lead up to the commencement of enforcement activity next year.
“We are calling on drivers to follow a series of simple steps to build better habits and stay focused when driving,” Mr Steel said.
“These include removing your devices from view entirely, setting yourself up before you get on the road and turning on the ‘do not disturb’ function to remove notifications,” he said.
The 27-page Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Amendment Bill 2021 can be accessed online at this PS News link and further information on the rules for mobile phone use while driving can be accessed at this link.
