Australia introduced high definition traffic cameras to try and catch people using cellphones while driving.
The Australian state of New South Wales mounted some cameras while strapping others to mobile trailers in an attempt to crackdown on distracted driving due to cellphone usage. New South Wales Minister for Roads Andrew Constance claimed the devices were the first in the world.
“The NSW Government is serious about reducing our state’s road toll and rolling out mobile phone detection cameras is another way we will do this. As we enter a notoriously dangerous time of the year on our roads I want all drivers to know that if you use your mobile phone while behind the wheel of a vehicle in NSW you will have a greater chance of being caught, anywhere at anytime,” Constance said in a statement.
He added, “Some people have not got the message about using their phones legally and safely. If they think they can continue to put the safety of themselves, their passengers and the community at risk without consequence they are in for a rude shock.”
Drivers caught violating cellphone policies on the cameras in the first three months will receive one warning letter before they are hit with a fine. A standard fine costs drivers the equivalent of $235, and a violation in a school zone warrants a fee of about $312.
Minister for Regional Roads Paul Toole estimated that 135 million drivers will be checked by the cameras. Bernard Carlon, the executive director of transport for NSW’s Centre for Road Safety, said a trial run of the cameras caught more than 100,000 drivers misusing their phones while driving.
“Independent modeling has shown these cameras could prevent around 100 fatal and serious injury crashes over five years. There is strong community support for more enforcement, with 80% of people surveyed supporting the use of detection cameras to stop illegal mobile phone use,” said Carlon.
Carlon claimed there was “strong community support” for more enforcement of distracted driving, but did not specify if there was support for this method of enforcement.
In the United States, the use of speed radars and red-light cameras has been a controversial practice. Texas recently outlawed red-light cameras over concerns that the tickets are only assigned to the owner of the vehicle, even if the driver committing the violation was someone else. Other states and local governments have found traffic cameras to be a steady source of revenue in cash strapped municipalities.
