THE good news is that Hunter motorists are getting the message regarding mobile phone use while driving.
The bad news is that we're not as quick on the uptake as the rest of NSW.
As our report today reveals, about one in 230 drivers checked across the Hunter between March 1 and August 31 this year were found to be using their phone, an offence rate of 0.43 per cent, which is significantly lower rate than the pilot period between January and June last year, when one in every 82 drivers, or 1.2 per cent, across NSW were detected using their mobile device illegally.
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Disappointingly, however, the offence rate across the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter Valley regions is higher than the current NSW average of 0.23 per cent of drivers, or one in 432, detected illegally using a mobile phone during the March-August period.
It takes time to change driver behaviour, as we have seen with the successful introduction of seatbelts and drink-driving laws over the past few decades.
If caught, reaching for your phone will cost you a $349 fine, or $464 if you do it in a school zone. The offence also attracts five demerit points, or 10 during double demerit periods.
Revenue NSW data shows almost 70,000 people were fined between March and August, netting the state government more than $31 million in fines revenue.
Hitting offending drivers in the hip-pocket is the best way to ensure a change in behaviour, which will in turn keep all motorists safer on the roads.
There is believed to be about eight mobile phone detection cameras in operation around the state, but the NSW government plans to have 45 rolled out by 2022-23.
Transport for NSW deputy secretary of safety, environment and regulation Tara McCarthy told the Newcastle Herald that "those who think they can continue to put the safety of themselves, their passengers and the community at risk have been warned and will face consequences".
"Simply taking your eyes off the road for longer than two seconds, doubles the risk of a crash," she said.
The message couldn't be any clearer - get your hand off it.
