The Queensland Government has announced tougher penalties for drivers who use their mobile phone illegally while driving.
From 1 February 2020, the penalties in Queensland for illegally using a mobile phone while driving are increasing from a $400 fine and 3 demerit points to a $1,000 fine and 4 demerit points. This is to help deter people from this dangerous behaviour.
Research shows using a mobile phone while driving can be as risky as drink driving. A driver's response time while texting on a phone is comparable to that of a driver with a blood alcohol reading of between 0.07 and 0.10.
The increased penalties mean that some licence holders, like learners and P-Platers, could lose their licence from just 1 offence.
Double demerit points will still apply to all drivers for a second mobile phone offence within 12 months. This is another $1,000 fine and 8 points and could cost most people their licence.
Bicycle riders will also be fined $1,000, but no demerit points will be issued.
While the penalties are increasing, there are no changes to the current rules for mobile phone use while driving. When the fine is introduced it would make Queensland the state with the harshest laws for this offence in the country.
The ACT currently has the highest penalty with a special $577 fine for using a phone for messaging, social networking, using a mobile application or accessing the internet.
South Australia is the second highest at $534, but this new fine would more than double that.
Drivers in Victoria face a $484 fine, while NSW motorists are up against a $337 penalty.
Those in Western Australia are hit with a $400 fine for mobile phone use and Tasmanian's cop a $414 fine.
The Northern Territory has the lowest penalty at $250.
Mr Bailey said research shows distracted driving is just as dangerous as drink driving and that the laws need to change to reflect that.
Recently a young Sydney driver was killed in a horrific head-on crash after taking a Snapchat video of her passenger in the back seat.
In 2017 alone, 38 people were killed, and 1224 people hospitalised by distracted drivers on Queensland’s roads.
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