Don’t make driving even riskier than it already is

We take a risk every time we get behind the wheel of a car. Last year, 320 people died on our roads, yet people still heighten the risk by speeding or using a mobile phone while driving.

The penalty for using a mobile phone while driving is set to nearly double at the end of the month. Rising from $80 to $150 and sending a signal to drivers that driving while on the phone is not okay.

I remember when the ban on using mobile phones when driving was introduced in 2009.

I had only just started learning to drive so hadn’t been using mine in the car but there was a little bit of shock and indignation in the community that we wouldn’t be allowed to do this any more.

More than a decade later, the ban and fine seem to have done little to deter some people.

In 2019, 36,000 people copped an $80 fine and 20 demerit points for using their phones while driving. That was up more than 10,000 on the year before.

While the infringement fee is almost doubling, is it enough?

In comparison, Queensland drivers will cop a $1000 fine for using their phones while driving, as well as four demerit points. If caught a second time within 12 months they are given another $1000 fine and eight more demerit points.

Two offences in a year could mean a loss of licence.

They are serious consequences but they reflect the serious risk.

Meanwhile, this week it was reported bus drivers were caught speeding 217 times in the past three years with at least one bus being caught doing 132km/h in a 100km/ h zone.

Sixteen of the speeding buses were caught outside schools.

But buses surely aren’t the only ones to speed.

On occasions I have found myself in front of tailgating drivers who then pass me at speed, I sometimes catch up to them when they get stuck behind trucks or at traffic lights.

The reality is that speeding doesn’t actually save you a huge amount of time.

And at times when my phone buzzes with a message, I’ll tell myself I’m actually only 10 minutes from home and it can wait.

While it is important for buses to be on time, and it is important to be kept in the loop on your cellphone. It is more important to get to where you need to be safely.

You take a risk every time you get behind the wheel. Don’t make it even riskier.