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posted by martyb on Saturday October 20 2018, @11:13PM   Printer-friendly
from the Automated-Law-Enforcement dept.

Australian cities are working with several companies to install cameras to capture still images and video to detect drivers using mobile phones on the road to fine them in the same way automated speed cameras work. This is good news for local governments who desperately need an influx of cash in the wake of reduced intake from speeding fines. A recent report showed that there is limited evidence that cameras have led to a change in driver behaviour across the state by acting as a deterrent however it is expected that harshly fining drivers may work better than putting up signs informing drivers that speed cameras are installed ahead. The system for detecting mobile phone use in cars is currently being tested on the M4 motorway in Sydney.


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  • (Score: 2) by fido_dogstoyevsky on Sunday October 21 2018, @04:18AM (7 children)

    by fido_dogstoyevsky (131) <axehandleNO@SPAMgmail.com> on Sunday October 21 2018, @04:18AM (#751559)

    Not everyone uses a phone inappropriately while driving; it's possible to use one appropriately...

    ...by not using it while driving.

    ...you think a well-rested 75 year old is a better driver than a sleep deprived 35 year old?

    Yes, you surprise me by asking.

    ...It's all bunk, including "drunk" driving.

    Drunk driving isn't dangerous? [youtube.com]

    --
    It's NOT a conspiracy... it's a plot.
    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   2  
  • (Score: 4, Funny) by maxwell demon on Sunday October 21 2018, @05:48AM (4 children)

    by maxwell demon (1608) on Sunday October 21 2018, @05:48AM (#751578) Journal

    Well, just look at the statistics: The majority of accidents is caused by sober drivers. Which clearly shows that drunken driving is safer than sober driving. ;-)

    --
    The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
    • (Score: 2) by fido_dogstoyevsky on Sunday October 21 2018, @06:04AM (3 children)

      by fido_dogstoyevsky (131) <axehandleNO@SPAMgmail.com> on Sunday October 21 2018, @06:04AM (#751579)

      :)

      And it isn't just coincidence that fully 40% of all "sick" days are taken on Mondays or Fridays...

      --
      It's NOT a conspiracy... it's a plot.
      • (Score: 2) by maxwell demon on Sunday October 21 2018, @07:54AM

        by maxwell demon (1608) on Sunday October 21 2018, @07:54AM (#751587) Journal

        Also, is has been statistically shown that storks deliver babies. [robertmatthews.org] (pdf)

        --
        The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 21 2018, @09:38AM (1 child)

        by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 21 2018, @09:38AM (#751594)

        It can be.
        I once took off 3 mondays in a row.
        My manager took me downstairs to the rec area to have a 'chat' with my about my attendance.
        My response was not what he expected. I detailed what I went through when I suffered food poisoning from Friday night's dinner at a pizza restaurant. Throwing up all Saturday, all Sunday, and only feeling better after crawling into the doctors office, literally, utterly dehydrated, on Monday morning. I had a doctor's certificate for that day.

        Bastard.

        • (Score: 2) by maxwell demon on Sunday October 21 2018, @12:44PM

          by maxwell demon (1608) on Sunday October 21 2018, @12:44PM (#751628) Journal

          So after having that experience twice in a row, why did you again visit the restaurant the third time? I for sure would have avoided it.

          --
          The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
  • (Score: 2) by mcgrew on Sunday October 21 2018, @04:16PM (1 child)

    by mcgrew (701) <publish@mcgrewbooks.com> on Sunday October 21 2018, @04:16PM (#751696) Homepage Journal

    Speaking of drunk driving, it's been shown that using a phone while driving is as dangerous as driving drunk. So why aren't the penalties for using a phone while driving as harsh? They absolutely should be!

    --
    mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org
    • (Score: 3, Informative) by fido_dogstoyevsky on Sunday October 21 2018, @09:36PM

      by fido_dogstoyevsky (131) <axehandleNO@SPAMgmail.com> on Sunday October 21 2018, @09:36PM (#751775)

      Speaking of drunk driving, it's been shown that using a phone while driving is as dangerous as driving drunk. So why aren't the penalties for using a phone while driving as harsh? They absolutely should be!

      We recently revised the legal consequences [vic.gov.au] of drink driving (the "P1" and "P2" licences are the first two stages of a Victorian probationary driver's licence).

      Unfortunately, the penalties for using an unsecured mobile phone whilst driving [austlii.edu.au] aren't as severe - this does need looking at. The current penalty is 10 penalty units - at the moment 1 penalty unit=$AU161.19, so it's a $1600 phone call. The regulation does allow the use of a phone as a satnav, but it must be secured to the car and not hand held (or it's $1600 for "turn left here").

      --
      It's NOT a conspiracy... it's a plot.