The Department of Transport and Main Roads says it is deploying roadside cameras that have the ability to pick up whether a driver is using their phone behind the wheel or not wearing a seatbelt.
The Department said the new cameras were a key part of a record $1.69 billion road safety plan.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey said distracted driving was a silent killer on the State’s roads, likening it to drink driving.
“Our message has always been direct and very simple: Put your phone away,” Mr Bailey said.
“Using a mobile phone while driving has the same impact as getting behind the wheel with a blood alcohol reading between 0.07 and 0.10,” he said.
“We successfully trialled these cameras last year and have been talking about them coming to Queensland roads for two years.”
The Minister said some of the cameras would be mobile “and we won’t be telling people where they are”.
“Drivers should expect to be caught anywhere, anytime, whether they’re driving in the city or on a regional highway,” he said.
Mr Bailey said there would be a three-month grace period for drivers, meaning those caught on camera using their phone until 31 October would be notified and made aware they had been caught, but not fined.
“From 1 November, any driver caught by the cameras can expect to receive a $1,033 fine and lose four demerit points,” he said.
Mr Bailey said the cameras would also be able to detect drivers and their front seat passengers not wearing their seatbelts.
