Drivers caught on film
MORE than 50 motorists a day are being caught out by new seatbelt and phone use detection cameras on the Gold Coast.
In a four-day period last week 160 drivers were detected using mobile phones, while 48 drivers and two passengers were caught without seatbelts, figures obtained exclusively by the Bulletin show.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the numbers were “unacceptable”.
“This is a very disappointing display by some dangerous Gold Coast drivers,” Mr Bailey said.
“In just four days the new mobile phone and seatbelt cameras snapped 210 offences.
“This includes 160 mobile phone offences.
“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, so this is like us having 40 drunk drivers a day on Gold Coast roads, it’s unacceptable.”
The penalty for being caught using a mobile phone while driving is the loss of four demerit points and a $1033 fine, while the penalty for not wearing a seatbelt is three demerit points lost and a $413 fine.
The new cameras began issuing fines at the start of November. They have been seen at locations across the Gold Coast including Burleigh, Hope Island, Southport and Coomera.
Mr Bailey said he was astonished to discover so many Gold Coast drivers were caught not wearing seatbelts.
“For 40 years we’ve been educating people on the importance of wearing a seatbelt, and yet a dozen drivers a day are being caught not wearing one on the Gold Coast,” Mr Bailey said.
“Last year in Queensland, 43 people who lost their lives in crashes were unrestrained, so to think a dozen people a day are not putting a seatbelt on is pure madness.”
The revelations come amid grim statistics on our roads, with 19 people killed within the Gold Coast City Council area so far this year.
Last year 22 people were killed, while in 2019 the figure was 11.
Mr Bailey appealed to drivers to be more careful ahead of the Christmas holiday period.
“Please, especially as we head into Christmas, clip up, put the phone away and take care on our roads,” he said.
“Imagine your family sitting around the table at Christmas without you there, that could be the outcome if you use your phone behind the wheel or don’t wear a seatbelt.”
RACQ spokesperson Renee Smith said there was “no excuse” for dangerous behaviour behind the wheel.
“If the risk of injuring or killing someone by disobeying these basic road rules isn’t enough to make drivers act safely, then hopefully these fines and the potential loss of a licence will be a wakeup call,” Ms Smith said.
THIS IS A VERY DISAPPOINTING DISPLAY BY SOME DANGEROUS GOLD COAST DRIVERS
TRANSPORT MINISTER MARK BAILEY