May 20, 2015
Motorists repeatedly caught texting or using their mobile phone while driving will face double demerit points – but not doubled fines – under changes announced today by the State Government.
The tougher penalties are among a range of recommendations arising from last month’s “Safer Roads, Safer Queensland” forum at Parliament House where top level talks were held with road safety experts on ways to address an alarming spike in the 2015 Easter road toll.
Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said all of the recommendations were strongly supported by key stakeholders, including the Police, RACQ, CARRS-Q, Bicycle Queensland, the Motorcycle Riders Association of Queensland and the Queensland Trucking Association.
“It was the worst Easter road toll in Queensland in more than 20 years and we went into the forum with a collective determination to turn these terrible statistics around,” Ms Miller said.
Ms Miller said the Queensland Police Service would investigate expanding automatic number plate recognition technology in police vehicles.
“For too long, dangerous unregistered and unlicensed drivers have been over-represented in crash statistics. Greater use of this technology will give police the resources they need to target reckless and irresponsible drivers,” she said.
There will also be enhanced drug driving operations across the State by police.
Mr Bailey said immediate measures would be taken to target distracted drivers and people who take drugs and get behind the wheel.
“Drivers caught committing repeat mobile phone offences within a year can expect double demerits, similar to those imposed on repeat offenders who don’t wear a seatbelt or a motorcycle helmet, or who exceed the speed limit by more than 20km/h.”
However, Mr Bailey said the fines would not increase, because it was “not about revenue raising”.
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The outcomes of the Safer Roads, Safer Queensland forum will shape the Queensland’s Road Safety Action Plan over the next two years:
- Prioritise motorcycle safety for new and returning riders, including a TV and social media campaign in June 2015
- Introduce motorcycle licensing reforms, such as pre-learner training courses, to be progressed in consultation with stakeholders, industry partners and the community
- Launch a youth road safety innovation challenge to engage with 16 to 24-year-olds by brainstorming key issues and innovative solutions, as the first step in broader engagement with young people
- Form a Citizens’ Taskforce to report back to government about complex road safety issues, including ways to encourage safe driving
- Introduce double demerit points for two or more mobile phone offences committed within one year, similar to current arrangements for repeat seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and high-range speeding offences
- Address dangerous unregistered and unlicensed drivers who are over‑represented in crash statistics with Qld Police to investigate the expansion of Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology in police vehicles
- Expand training for road policing officers to better detect and deter broader criminal activities, including enhanced drug driving operations across Queensland
- Host a Queensland Road Safety Week in August in partnership with other stakeholders to engage the community in important conversations about road safety
