Police are urging drivers to take an “out of sight, out of mind’’ approach to mobile phones when behind the wheel, warning that hefty $433 fines and four demerit points are being dealt to those caught using devices while on the road.
Moorabool’s Inspector Brendon McCrory recently pulled over a driver on the Western Freeway near Bacchus Marsh after he “almost ran the police car off the road”.
“When I questioned him about his actions and caught sight of the device on his lap, he protested by saying he was changing songs, not on the phone or texting,” Inspector McCrory said.
“We need people to understand any mobile phone use while driving is prohibited, including playing music or typing in the GPS.”
Inspector McCrory said drivers could avoid the distraction caused by ringing phones or text alerts by switching their device off or leaving it in their handbag or console.
“Don’t check it, don’t respond and don’t pick it up,’’ he said.
‘‘If you need to make a call, pull over and ensure the car is stationary before doing so, not while stopped at the lights.”
Tougher fines for using a mobile while driving were introduced late last month.
A two-day Melton highway patrol blitz in Melton and Caroline Springs detected 16 drivers using mobile phones.
Of 54 drivers stopped by police, 41 were found to have broken the law, with other offences including failure to wear seatbelts, speeding, driving an unregistered vehicle, and driving without a licence or driving while suspended.
Melton’s Acting Sergeant Adam Wojcik said many drivers were shocked by the hefty fines for mobile phone use.
“It’s a big fine, and hopefully a big deterrent for those who got caught,” he said. “The consequences are literally life-threatening and could also have a lifelong impact on family and loved ones.”
Transport Accident Commission road safety major projects manager Elizabeth Waller said research showed that a driver who took their eyes off the road for just two seconds at 50 km/h would travel blind for 27 metres.
