Mobile fight against road phone users

NEW road safety technology will be plastered along Victorian roads in a bid to catch out drivers on their phones.

The state government on Friday announced $33.7m would be put towards the new technology, which researchers estimate could prevent 95 fatalities each year.

The distracted driving technology, used in NSW, will use artificial intelligence-enabled camera systems on trailers to capture high-res images of passing vehicles in all traffic and weather conditions — day and night.

Images deemed likely to contain a phone offence will be verified by trained personnel.

A recent three-month trial in Victoria, which assessed almost 680,000 vehicles, found one in every 42 drivers was illegally using a phone behind the wheel.

The trial found drivers in the north were the worst offenders, with two portable cameras placed on Craigieburn Road East at Wollert recording a one-in-18 offence rate.

The suburbs of Hillside and Laverton recorded a one-in-21 and one-in-28 offence rate respectively.

Acting Police Minister Danny Pearson (pictured) described the figures as “unacceptable”.

“This is about making sure all road users are safe on our roads and it’s about making sure everyone knows that if you’re going to do the wrong thing, you’re going to get caught,” he said. “I hope we never issue an infringement from these cameras … (but) if you flout the law, you’re going to get caught.”

New legislation — which would ensure those caught copped a fine — is set to be introduced in parliament.

It is anticipated the technology rollout will also help to free up resources for Victoria Police, who currently need to physically catch drivers in the act before fining them.

Mr Pearson said it was hoped the technology would be operational by 2023.