Published 09:14 IST, September 24th 2019
Australia uses new technology to catch people driving on phones
New South Wales in Australia plans to install multiple road cameras to catch all public who are guilty of using their cell phones while driving and fine them
According to reports, the state of New South Wales in Australia will install cameras to catch all those who are guilty of using their phones while driving. Andrew Constance handling the portfolio of the state's Road Minister said that New South Wales will be the first to bring out such a rule that will arrest anyone who is found to be violating the traffic rules. The Road Minister further added that his administration plans on installing about 45 cameras that would detect the illegal actions of the drivers behind the wheel by capturing their pictures for circumstantial evidence.
A growing concern
Road safety authorities are concerned about the increasing rates of accidents that have taken place due to people using their phones while driving in the state. The concerned authorities have also stated the chances of accidents taking place increase 4 times for those who use their phones while driving.
Constance in a media statement said that he believed that the issue of drinking and driving plays a huge role in accidents taking place and that is the reason they wanted to make everyone know of the consequences that would follow if they are caught violating the set rules.
He further explained that every unit installed contained 2 cameras out of which one would take a picture of the registration plate of the car and the second one would capture the actions of the defaulters in order to gather evidence when they are prosecuted.
The cameras have been installed with artificial intelligence so that the innocent are not prosecuted. The photos that have captured the alleged illegal actions will be first sent to an expert who will have a close look before a notice with a fine of 344 Australian dollars is sent to the concerned individual.
A successful trial?
A trial spanning 6 months pictured more than 8.5 million vehicles and more than 100000 drivers using their phones while driving. In 2 cases that were highlighted - one was caught using a phone and an iPad at the same time while in the other case the driver had the co-passenger hold the steering wheel while both of them used their respective phones.
According to an analysis, the cameras could help prevent 100 serious injuries over a period of 5 years. Also, deaths due to road accidents fell down to 35 from a total of 354 deaths that were registered last year. More than 16,500 drivers were issued fines for disobeying the rules.
Drivers have an option of using their phone provided they connect it to a hand free Bluetooth device. Although, the ban is also applicable to people who are stuck in jams or even on at a red light.
(With inputs from AP)
Updated 10:47 IST, September 24th 2019