Limestone Coast motorists travelling to Adelaide are being warned the grace period for the capital city’s mobile phone detection cameras is over.
The RAA is reminding motorists not to risk a hit to the hip pocket – or the lives of other road users – by touching their mobile phone behind the wheel.
As of last week, fines of $556 (plus $102 VOC levy) will be issued to drivers caught using their phones by the five detection cameras – on the Southern Expressway at Darlington, South Road at Torrensville, North South Motorway at Regency Park, Port Road at Hindmarsh and Port Wakefield Road at Gepps Cross.
RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said distraction was a leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities on SA roads.
“All forms of distraction – including mobile phone use – pose a massive risk to the safety of road users,” Mr Mountain said.
“When you’re looking at your phone you are not looking where you should be – at the road ahead.
“Drivers not only risk copping a fine if they use their phone behind the wheel, but the life-altering consequences that come with being involved in a crash where someone is seriously injured or killed.
“Ask yourself, would you be using your phone while driving if you were sharing the road with your brother, sister, son or daughter?”
South Australia’s peak motoring body is reminding drivers of the road rules surrounding mobile phone use, including:
• Drivers must be legally parked before using their mobile device (in park, with the handbrake on).
• This includes touching the phone to adjust navigation, music or view notifications on the phone. If drivers wish to view a phone for navigation or touch it to make or receive an audio call, it must be in a cradle affixed to the vehicle (a holder commercially designed and manufactured for that purpose) where its position does not obstruct their ability to see.
• Bluetooth or hands-free technology should be used to make or receive a phone call – and calls should be avoided or kept as short as possible.
• Learner and P1 drivers are not permitted to use their phone for any reason – including for navigation or Bluetooth/hands-free calls.
“If you want to use your phone for navigation, the device must be in a mounting affixed to the vehicle that does not obstruct your ability to see,” Mr Mountain said.
“Otherwise, put your phone away so you are not tempted to take your eyes off the road while you’re driving.
“It’s also a timely reminder to think about other forms of distraction in the car – such as adjusting the radio or air-con, using headphones or kids in the back seat – which can take our focus off the task of driving.”
