Australia introduces new technology to catch illegal phone use by drivers

Constance said his government intends to roll out 45 such cameras across the state by December.

(Web Desk) – The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) is persuading the public to not use their smartphones while driving by rolling out ‘Mobile Phone Detection Cameras’ to prosecute distracted motorists.

New South Wales Roads Minister Andrew Constance said on Monday that Australia’s most populous state was the first jurisdiction in the world to use such technology to punish drivers distracted by social media, text messages or phone calls.

Each unit contains two cameras. One camera photographs a car’s registration plate and a second high-set lens looks down through the windscreen and can see what drivers are doing with their hands.

The units use artificial intelligence to exclude drivers who are not touching their phones. Photos that show suspected illegal behavior are referred for verification by human eyes before an infringement notice is sent to the vehicle’s registered owner along with a 344 Australian dollar ($232) fine. Some cameras will be permanently fixed on roadsides and others will be placed on trailers and moved around the state.

Road safety experts are alarmed at the growing prevalence of accidents involving drivers using smartphones in NSW. They are of the view that drivers who illegally use phones increase their chances of an accident four-fold.

Constance said his government intends to roll out 45 such cameras across the state by December.

“There is no doubt drink-driving as far as I’m concerned is on a par with mobile phone use, and that’s why we want everyone to be aware that you’re going to get busted doing this anytime, anywhere,” Constance told Australian Broadcasting Corp.