A man driving with his leg on the dashboard, apparent drug use and texting are among the extensive list of offending caught on high-tech cameras along Western Australian roads.
The state government has deployed more than 100 mobile trailers in Perth, featuring mobile safety cameras that point down inside cars, since January.
Nine have been deployed in regional towns in the Great Southern region since June 10, while two are fixed on the Kwinana Freeway.
This driver appears to be using drugs while behind the wheel, and is not wearing a seatbelt. (Supplied)
In that time, about 130,000 offences have been captured by the cameras and the range and extent of illegal activity behind the wheel has been “mind-boggling”, according to Police Minister Reece Whitby.
Fines are coming
“We’re seeing people doing the wrong thing again and again,” Mr Whitby told a budget estimates hearing in parliament.
“There’s a new series of pictures that are just mind boggling in what they show.
Reece Whitby described some of the behaviour as “mind boggling”. (ABC News: Lauren Smith)
“I believe when these safety cameras do start issuing fines, we’re going to see a huge number of people, if they don’t change their way, losing their licenses.“
The series of images the minister is referring to include drivers operating a vehicle with an infant, dog or device on their lap.
A dog on a driver’s lap. (Supplied)
Others appear to show people using alcohol and drugs behind the wheel.
More than 50,000 people were either not wearing a seatbelt or wearing it incorrectly.
About 75,000 drivers were caught with their phone in their hand, or using it in another illegal way.
A mobile safety camera captures a man who appears to be drinking a beer while driving. (Supplied)
Repeat offenders
The WA government claims the cameras, which use AI detection technology, are the most advanced in the country.
The cameras are currently in the trial phase — at this stage caution notices are issued and fines are due to be implemented in October.
“This is not about revenue raising but we need to have a transition which gets it right,” Mr Whitby said.
A baby is unrestrained on the front passenger seat while the driver is on his phone. (Supplied)
One of the major issues assessed by the use of the cameras is the repetitive nature of the offending.
At its worst, one driver was caught offending 81 times.
Another has been caught 74 times and there are a group of ten people that have been detected offending more than 42 times.
Someone drives with a tablet on their lap. (Supplied)
Loading
link
