The Queensland Government will roll-out covert mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras mid-2021, in an attempt to improve road safety in the state.

The roll-out follows a successful six-month trial, where the cameras caught more than 15,000 potential mobile phone offences, and more than 2,200 potential seatbelt offences.

The new cameras detect these illegal actions through artificial intelligence software, which takes multiple images of vehicles in the lane of traffic that passes the camera. These include inside the vehicle cabin, mainly the front seats and external images that include the registration plates of the vehicle.

The Government has revealed the cameras are set to be introduced in the second half of the year, but will include a three-month grace period where motorists will only get warnings. The cameras are then expected to slap a $1,000 fine to all offenders.

A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the department would not release the location of the cameras, and unlike speed cameras, those used to detect mobile phone use will not be signposted.  Both fixed and portal cameras will occur as part of the installation.

“When the cameras are rolled out, they will be in operation anywhere, any time,” he said.

To find out more about mobile phone restrictions when driving, visit tmr.qld.gov.au

Source: The Courier-Mail | State Government to start fining motorists caught on covert cameras using mobile phones

23 February 2021