NSW drivers could lose nearly half their licence if caught using a phone
The New South Wales government has begun issuing fines and demerit points to those caught using their mobile phones while driving by dedicated phone-detection cameras.
The mobile phone detection cameras have been operating in warning mode since December 2019, after a trial kicked off a year earlier.
See also: NSW government looks 'beyond digital' as part of its customer and digital strategy
They were originally fixed, with the tech initially on Western Sydney's M4 motorway and Anzac Parade in Southeast Sydney.
The cameras are now both fixed and transportable, with the trailer-mounted cameras to be frequently moved around the state.
Drivers caught using their phone will now cop a AU$344 fine and lose five demerit points.
According to the state government, 9 million vehicles had been checked by the cameras during the three-month warning period, with more than 30,000 warning letters being issued to drivers caught using their phones.
Minister for Roads Andrew Constance expects the number of drivers pinged by the cameras to reduce, thanks to the introduction of such high penalties.
In NSW, unrestricted licence-holders have 13 points at their disposal; professional drivers are given 14 points.
Provisional P2 -- "green Ps" -- licence-holders have seven points; while P1 -- "red Ps" -- and learners have only four points.
The camera pilot was delivered by Australian firm Acusensus, which was one of the three companies that took part in a prior testing operation.
The system uses high-definition cameras and artificial intelligence to detect drivers using their phone behind the wheel.
NSW Police continue to enforce illegal mobile phone use and issue infringements as part of regular operations, the state government added.
SEE ALSO
New traffic cameras to snitch on texting drivers in NSW
The cameras will be able to tell if a driver is using their mobile phone illegally.
NSW to allow phone payments while doing Macca's drive-thru
Drivers in New South Wales will be able to use phone payments as long as they are off public roads.
Facial recognition: Convenient or creepy?
Facial recognition technology may still be in its infancy but it's being rolled out in full force by some jurisdictions around the world -- whether we're ready or not.
Facial recognition critics are 'ill-informed' says police chief
In the age of Facebook and Twitter, worries about police use of live facial recognition are outweighed by the opportunity the technology provides to fight crime, says the Met Police chief.
Facial recognition could be most invasive policing technology ever, warns watchdog
UK's Information Commissioner's Office challenges the interpretation of a court ruling that gave the green light for using facial recognition on the public.