Dangerous drivers are to face a new enemy next year with mobile phone detection cameras to be installed across the national capital.
Announced by the Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel, two fixed cameras are to be located on Hindmarsh Drive and Gungahlin Drive, while three transportable cameras will be moved across various sites to provide maximum road safety benefits.
Mr Steel said the sites included Canberra Avenue, Tuggeranong Parkway and Yamba Drive where “mobile phone usage will be enforced ‘anywhere, anytime’”.
“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 60km/hr travels 33 metres blind,” he said.
“In the past five financial years, ACT Policing has issued an average of 911 infringements and 260 cautions for using a mobile device when driving.”
Mr Steel said the actual rate of offending was likely to be much higher.
He said Government would undertake a comprehensive awareness campaign across TV, digital, radio and out-of-home advertising to notify people of the new cameras.
“Images detecting a potential offence will be automatically pixelated and cropped to only show a view of the driver,” the Minister said.
“These will be reviewed by an artificial intelligence system, then a human operator before an infringement notice decision is made.”
Mr Steel said a robust range of security and privacy safeguards are to be put in place governing the use and disclosure of the images.
He urged drivers to leave their mobile device alone when driving.
“These new cameras, which will operate day and night in all weather conditions, will help ensure Canberrans 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.
“Every accident that results in serious injury or death is a tragedy for our community,” he said.
“When it comes to mobile phones and driving, it’s time to get your hand off it,” the Minister said.
