Covert cameras have caught almost 50,000 Queensland drivers using their phones or not wearing a seatbelt in just four months.
The new technology – which went live last July and began issuing fines in November – has already siphoned $40m from motorists via penalties of between $413 and $1033.
Brisbane and the Gold Coast roads accounted for the bulk of infringements, followed by Cairns and Townsville, with a shocking number of drivers flouting rules that have been in place for 50 years.
Far from being pleased with the revenue boost, Transport Minister Mark Bailey was disappointed to see how many drivers were failing to heed the safety message, particularly given 78 deaths on the roads so far in 2022.
That’s no better than the same period a year ago.
“I make no apologies for this crackdown on mobile phone use and not wearing a seatbelt,” Mr Bailey said.
The cameras were installed last winter after a trial in 2020 detected 15,000 people illegally using their mobile phone and more than 2000 drivers without a seatbelt.
They went live in November, with almost three-quarters of the 47,668 infringements issued in the four months to February 28 for illegal mobile phone use while driving.
“We know using your phone while driving is the equivalent of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.07 – xjmtzyw0.10, so this is like having 33,805 drunk drivers on our roads,” Mr Bailey said.
Even more shocking was the 13,875 seatbelt offences.
“To think seatbelts have been mandatory for 50 years, and almost 14,000 people have been caught doing the wrong thing in just four months is outrageous,” Mr Bailey said.
The new cameras have so far generated about $40.6 million in revenue for the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Drivers caught using their phones are fined $1,033 and lose four demerit points, while seatbelt offences incur a $413 fine and three demerit points for each person not wearing one.
The cameras are expected to further boost the state’s coffers, with the latest budget forecast predicting fine and forfeiture revenue to jump almost 40 per cent to $597m in 2021-22.
The trend is tipped to continue in 2022-23, with the revenue to rise another 7.4 per cent to $641m, with more cameras planned to be introduced over time.
There were 274 deaths on Queensland roads in 2021, slightly down from 278 in 2020 but higher than 219 in 2019.
