Drivers making the trip from Wagga to Sydney should be aware of the “world-first technology” being used to catch people illegally using mobile phones.
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After a testing phase, the Liberals and Nationals Government selected Australian company Acusensus to trial high-tech cameras on the M4 and Anzac Parade.
Founder of Wagga’s Traffic Offenders Intervention Program, Jon Morgan, said he welcomes the use of technology to make roads safer.
The new system uses high-definition cameras and artificial intelligence to detect offending drivers illegally using their phone behind the wheel. It can operate both day and night and in all weather conditions.
“We need to tackle this,” Mr Morgan said.
“When it comes to the road toll and someone has died in a motor vehicle incident, 99 per cent of the time that person did not need to die.”
“If people don’t get it in 2018 there is no excuse.”
Mr Morgan said the number of offenders completing TOIP for mobile phone related incidents has visibly increased.
“An increase of 15 to 20 per cent in relation to that offence,” he said.
“You have to learn and you need to understand the ramifications.
“It shouldn’t just be about the fine and loss of licence, but there needs to be an education too.”
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said during the month-long test period in October, more than 11,000 drivers a day were detected using a mobile phone illegally.
“Shockingly, one driver was pictured with two hands on his phone while his passenger steered the car travelling at 80 km/h, putting everyone on the road at risk,” Mrs Pavey said.
Mr Morgan said the fact 11,000 drivers were detected in one month is a huge figure that demonstrates the severity of the issue.
“You cannot tell me for a moment that the phone call or text is so important you couldn’t pull over or engage Bluetooth,” he said.
Ms Pavey said if at the end of the trial, the technology proves to be foolproof, the community will be made aware of its permanent use in NSW.
“Seventy-four per cent of the NSW community support the use of cameras to enforce mobile phone offences. I strongly believe this technology will change driver behaviour and save lives,” she said.
