The $1,400 fine Australians need to know about as hundreds of drivers fall victim to new high-tech cameras, and it’s about to rise dramatically.
- Queensland drivers fined $1,400 for double driving offense
- As of July 1, the fine for committing both offenses at the same time exceeds $2,000
Hundreds of road users have been fined $1,400 after being caught on new high-tech cameras using their mobile phones and not wearing seatbelts at the same time, and the penalty notice will soon be even higher.
Launched in November 2021, Queensland’s new generation of traffic cameras are positioned to detect whether a driver is wearing their seat belt or using their mobile phone.
In its first year of operation on Queensland’s roads, cameras caught 467 drivers breaking both laws at the same time.
The motorists were fined $1,400 each, the courier mail informed.
However, starting in July, those caught committing both offenses will be punished with an even heavier fine.
If you are caught without a seat belt and talking on the phone while driving, the offender will receive a $2,156 fine notice.
Hundreds of road users have been fined $1,400 for using their mobile phones and not wearing their seatbelts at the same time, and soon, the fine will be even higher.
Queensland’s new high-tech cameras caught 467 drivers breaking both laws in their first year of operation
The Queensland government announced last July that the fine would rise to $1,078 for those not wearing a seatbelt, matching the fine notice for using a mobile phone while driving.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said committing any of the offenses is “shameful” and “selfish” as it endangers not only the driver but other road users.
“We know that not wearing a seat belt increases the chance of dying in a car accident by nine times,” Bailey said.
“We also know that using your phone while driving makes you four times more likely to be in an accident.
“So these people are making it more likely that they will crash and injure innocent motorists as well as themselves in that crash by illegally using their phone and not wearing their seatbelts.”
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said committing any of the offenses is “shameful” and “selfish” as it endangers not only the driver but other road users.
By 2022, more than 100,000 drivers have been caught using their phones while driving.
The cameras caught a total of 119,862 drivers using their phones illegally and 52,542 drivers or front-seat passengers not wearing seat belts or not wearing them correctly.
The Queensland government does not publish how many of the new cameras are in operation or where they are located, but Bailey previously said that the cameras are located throughout the region and south-east Queensland.
Last year Queensland recorded its worst road toll since 2009, with 299 people losing their lives.
Bailey said the state has seen 18 fewer road fatalities in 2023 than at this time last year.
Last year Queensland recorded its worst road toll since 2009, with 299 people losing their lives. The state has seen 18 fewer road fatalities in 2023 than at this time last year