Yarra Ranges and Yarra Valley residents will now be liable for fines for using mobile phones while driving as new high-tech detection cameras have been spotted along major routes by residents in Coldstream, Silvan and Dixon’s Creek.
As of Saturday 1 July, drivers will now face penalties of four demerit points and a $577 fine when caught using a mobile phone while driving, and three demerit points and a $385 fine for drivers and passengers not wearing a seatbelt.
The mobile device and seatbelt detection cameras began operation in April this year, using AI technology to capture high-resolution images of vehicles and detect offences.
Minister for Police Anthony Carbines said that driver distraction is a major contributor to serious and fatal collisions, and the time for complacency is over.
“These cameras will be deployed all over the state and they will catch those drivers not buckled up or distracted by phones,” he said.
Victoria Police has approved over 150 locations across Victoria where the cameras can operate at any time on any day.
These cameras detect and take photos of drivers who use portable devices, like mobile phones. The cameras can also pick up people in the front seats not wearing their seatbelts.
Each camera trailer has 2 cameras and an infra-red flash that are enabled with artificial intelligence (AI) software. The cameras take high-resolution images any time of the day or night, and in all traffic and weather conditions.
The AI technology automatically reviews each image and if it does not see a potential offence, it will reject the image.
If the AI detects a driver who may be using a portable device or not wearing a seatbelt it will flag the image for further review.
Images where there might be a potential offence are checked and verified by qualified independent officers.
Illegally using a mobile phone when driving significantly increases the risk of being involved in a serious crash.
There are currently four camera trailer systems in operation, enforcing more than 8000 hours each month.
The cameras can be deployed to up to 200 locations in rural and metropolitan areas. A further two camera trailer systems will be operational in the coming months.
Distracted driving is a major contributor to serious and fatal collisions, in 2022, nearly a quarter of vehicle occupants who died and their seatbelt status was known were found to not be wearing a seatbelt.
Drivers are also 10 times more at risk of crashing if they are texting, browsing or emailing on their mobile phones.
Mr Carbines said that drivers have a responsibility of not just keeping themselves and others in their car safe, but everyone else using the road too.
“Every life lost on the roads is avoidable – I urge Victorians to do the right thing on the roads,” he said.
