MORE than 100 drivers a day were caught across the state using their mobile phone while behind the wheel last week, with SA Police reminding drivers they will continue to target drivers for the offending over the festive season.
Operation Distraction, which ran from Monday to Friday state-wide, saw 513 motorists detected using their mobile phone.
“We conduct these targeted operations to throw a spotlight on particular offences, however they are subject to regular enforcement activity,” Traffic Support Branch officer in charge Superintendent Bob Gray warned.
Operation Safe Holidays started on Saturday – the SA Police’s annual, high-visibility road safety operation encouraging the community to take responsibility for their own actions on the state’s roads.
Police will be focused on the five key factors which contribute to road fatalities and serious injury crashes each year.
The factors, commonly called the “fatal five”, are:
• Speeding
• Drink or drug driving
• Seatbelt use
• Dangerous road users
• Distracted drivers
Superintendent Gray said police know changing driver behaviour in relation to these factors will lower the road toll and the number of serious injury crashes that have such a terrible impact each year on South Australian roads.
“Ultimately drivers who ignore these factors are making a choice to disregard their own or someone else’s safety,” he said.
“We know mobile phones distract drivers and that even a few seconds of inattention can have dire consequences.
“Driving is a complex task, requiring drivers to use and coordinate a number of skills and any lapse in concentration increases the risk of the vehicle being involved in a crash.
“Drivers must put their phone down, put it out of reach or turn it off, to ensure their safety along with that of their passengers and other road users.”
Australian Road Rule 300 says the driver of a vehicle (except an emergency vehicle or police vehicle) must not use a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving or is stationary but not parked.
The expiation for using a hand held mobile phone while driving is $334 plus a $60 victims of crime levy and three demerit points.
The fine for a cyclist using a mobile phone while riding is $57, plus a $60 victims of crime levy.
