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General News

5 April, 2023

Driver distraction cameras begin rollout

New cameras designed to detect distracted drivers have been switched on in Victoria this month, designed to keep drivers safe and reduce road trauma. The new AI-enabled cameras are able to catch people using their mobile phone and not wearing...

By Maryborough Advertiser

Driver distraction cameras begin rollout - feature photo

New cameras designed to detect distracted drivers have been switched on in Victoria this month, designed to keep drivers safe and reduce road trauma.

The new AI-enabled cameras are able to catch people using their mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt, and are estimated to prevent 95 crashes that result in injury or death per year.

Initially two mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera trailer systems will roll out, with plans to deploy additional trailers from mid-2023 onwards.

Once activated, the cameras will be distributed to more than 200 locations in rural and metropolitan areas.

“Using mobile phones behind the wheel puts lives at risk and can result in tragedy,” Minister for Police Anthony Carbines said.

“We’re deterring this type of risky behaviour on our roads with new phone and seatbelt detection technology.”

A three-month grace period will apply from the technology’s activation before drivers face infringement and demerit penalties, with advisory letters sent.

Motorists caught driving distracted will receive penalties of four demerit points and a $555 fine.

The introduction of the cameras coincides with new driver distraction road rules which came into effect on Friday.

The new rules extend current mobile phone laws to cover modern technologies like in-built vehicle systems, mounted devices, wearable devices (such as smartwatches) and portable devices (like tablets).

The rules include that full licence drivers in general cannot touch an unmounted portable device — such as a phone, tablet, or laptop — while driving, even if the device is turned off.

You cannot text, scroll websites/social media/playlists, take video calls or display text messages.

For mounted devices, drivers can touch the device briefly to initiate, accept or reject an audio call, play audio material, adjust volume levels, use a navigation function, or use a function on the device designed to monitor a driver’s behaviour or condition.

The new cameras were introduced as part of the State Government’s Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030.

For more information on the new road rules visit vicroads.vic.gov.au/ drivingdistractions

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