- Motorists who use their cellphones while driving could be fined up to $439
- Guilty drivers are to face higher fines and also double demerits penalties
- Police will use speed camera style technology to detect illegal cellphone use
Motorists caught using their mobile phones behind the wheel could be fined up to $439 from July 1 as new technology is introduced to target guilty drivers.
Police will hand down higher fines and mobile phone offences will be subject to double demerits penalties.
An update to the Road Transport Legislation Amendment (Road Safety) Act will allow for the use of speed camera style technology to detect the illegal cellphone use.
Motorists who use their cellphones while driving could be fined up to $439 (stock image)
Drivers who are caught using a mobile phone while driving will receive a fine of $330 and will lose 4 demerit points.
If drivers are caught using a mobile phone when driving in a school zone, the fine increases to $439.
It has been reported that during an initial test on Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, the new system detected 750 drivers in six hours.
NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey, reported that from 2012 to 2017 there were 184 crashes involving illegal mobile phone use and those crashes resulted in seven deaths and 105 injuries.
The revenue raised from the camera detection technology will paid into the Community Road Safety Fund.
Police will use speed camera style (pictured) technology to detect illegal cellphone use
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