Higher fines for motorists using mobile phones

The South Australian Government has announced a new schedule of fines for 2019-20 that sees a hike of $200 for motorists caught using their mobile phones while driving. The offence now attracts a $534 fine and loss of three demerit points.

While the broader SA schedule noted an average increase of five per cent, tougher increases targeted ‘reckless hoons, lead foot company car drivers and motorists on their mobile phones’ revealed South Australian Treasurer, Rob Lucas.

The increase represents a significant hike in a single offence fine, but it’s not the toughest in this country. Motorists in the ACT will fork out $577 and lose up to four demerit points for the same offence.

Those opposed to the fine increases say this is nothing more than a revenue-raising exercise.

But the best news for motorists in South Australia and around the country is that it’s 100% avoidable

Admit it, you’ve touched your phone while driving: a quick swipe of the home screen, checking a text message perhaps. But it’s about time we faced up to the fact that it’s illegal and can end tragically.

As of midnight on May 27, 51 lives have been lost on South Australian roads – 21 more than for this time last year. The pattern is not dissimilar across most of Australia.

We know that using a mobile phone while driving is a major distraction that diminishes a driver’s physical, visual and cognitive response in the event of an emergency situation like fast braking or swerve and avoid manoeuvre. So is mobile phone use contributing to our crash and injury statistics?

Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission’s Road Safety Lead Director Samantha Cockfield told carsales: “Even just a small glance at your phone causes you to become distracted from this task and could result in the death of yourself, your passengers or other road users.

“Driving is the most complex task most of us perform in our daily lives and it requires our full attention.”

Year to date in Victoria, the road toll is up 55.7%, rising from 88 to 137 deaths on Victorian roads.

“Mobile phones are fast becoming one of the key factors in fatalities and serious injury crashes on our roads. Research shows that even a quick glance at your phone means you’re travelling blind.” says Cockfield.

The simple solution is don’t touch your mobile phone while in the car. Can’t trust yourself?

Put it in the glove box. Need something stronger?

How does paying a fine and the loss of demerit points sound?

“The risk of being caught or paying a fine is one of the strongest motivators for behavioural change in road safety,” Cockfield contends.

As a Victorian driver, I see inappropriate phone use every day. And I’m not talking about ‘gramming’ your smashed avo.

Ask any commuter cyclist or motorbike rider who are privy to a more intimate view of a car’s cabin on their daily run. The level of ignorance and illegal behaviour is mind-boggling.

Statistics provided by the TAC tell us that while travelling at a speed of 40km/h, during a two second distraction time you will travel over 22m. Increase that speed to 60km/h and that jumps to 33-plus. At freeway speeds of 100km/h, that 2sec glance at your texts means a staggering 55.56m of distracted driving.

I for one think the fines increase is a step in the right direction.

If hitting the hip pocket and slashing demerit points prevents the loss of even one life on our roads, it’s got to be worth it.