State of the art safety cameras
State-of-the-art safety cameras will be introduced around Victoria to capture drivers distracted by mobile phone use.
The three month trial began last week and uses technology designed to detect mobile phone use behind the wheel and potentially other illegal driving activities.
The trial will ensure the technology operates accurately and is appropriate for use on Victorian roads before a potential rollout.
Research shows drivers who use a mobile phone while driving are four times more likely to cause a fatal road accident.
Texting, browsing and emailing increase the crash risk by up to 10 times.
In 2017-18, more than 30,000 motorists were issued with fines for using a mobile phone while driving in Victoria.
Drivers and riders involved in distractionrelated crashes make up at least 11 per cent of road fatalities.
As well as capturing drivers illegally using their mobile phones while driving, the cameras will be tested for possible future use to crack down on other dangerous driver behaviour, including not wearing a seatbelt.
No infringements will be issued during the pilot and number plate matching will not be undertaken. All photographs captured will be deleted.
The trial will help understand how the technology can be integrated with the existing road safety camera systems and ensure the cameras operate effectively and accurately, so that appropriate fines can be issued under a full rollout. are appropriate.
If introduced the technology will be able to operate from any location, 24 hours a day, in all conditions, meaning drivers who choose to do the wrong thing will be caught out.
The cameras allow high-resolution images to be captured in all conditions, regardless of weather and light levels, and for those images to be reviewed in real time to detect potential offences.
The state government provided more than $120 million dollars in the Victorian Budget 2019-20 to increase mobile camera enforcement by 75 per cent over the coming years and investigate new road safety camera capabilities.