New road camera technology has caught hundreds of people not wearing seatbelts or using their phone in just a two-week period.
Between January 25 and February 7, nearly 500 people were caught flouting laws in what Transport Minister Mark Bailey said was a shocking and unacceptable result.
“It’s absolutely unacceptable that we’ve seen 6,288 people caught red-handed by new mobile phone and seatbelt cameras between 25 January and 7 February – nearly 500 per day,” Mr Bailey said.
“Since 1 November (2021), the cameras have caught a total of 37,594 people who are flouting the road rules.
“These people have a clear lack of regard for themselves and those around them.
“Drivers have known these cameras were coming, and had a three-month warning period, yet 26,491 people have continued to use their phone behind the wheel.
“We’re cracking down on phone fiends and those not wearing seatbelts – with new anywhere anytime high-tech cameras and heavy fines,” he said.
“We know using a phone while driving is the equivalent of getting behind the wheel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.07 – 0.10 – it’s just not on.
“On average 29 people are killed and 1284 seriously injured each year on Queensland roads as a result of crashes where driver distraction played a part.”