New South Wales will set-up detection cellphone cameras, first in the world, to capture drivers using phones while driving.
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One of the most common reported vehicular infractions is the use of a cellphone while driving. In data published on the website of Edgar Snyder and Associates, their report shows how startling the number of road accidents is in the United States. One factor seen is because the U.S. lacks cellphone detection cameras that can monitor the activity of the driver while on the road. 

Statistics show that there are approximately more than 600,000 drivers in the U.S. who attempt to use their cellphones while driving. The National Council reports the following 

  • Car accidents due to the use of a cellphone are around 1.6 million each year.
  • More or less around 390,000 car injuries are reported due to texting.
  • 1 out of 4 car accidents in the United States is due to texting while driving.
  • Texting while driving is 6 times higher to be prone in an accident than being drunk.
  • Texting is the most dangerous activity while driving.

The data mentioned above is very alarming. It was also found that 35 percent of American teens are texting while driving even though they are fully aware of the dangers brought by texting while driving.

However, Australia has developed the World's First Cellphone Detection Cameras, the first such technology in the world. On Sunday, the Australian State of South Wales put up high definition cameras on the different roads in the state that are designed to capture motorists who are using cellphones while driving.

New South Wales' Minister for roads Andrew Constance said that these cameras will target drivers calling or texting through their phones and even the illegal use of fixed and mobile trailer-mounted cameras.

According to the Transport for New South Wales the cameras will use artificial intelligence to review images captured and detect drivers who are illegally using their phones. The images captured will then be verified by the authorities, but there is no need to worry about the images being shared as they will be securely stored and managed.

It is also said that in the next three years, there will be an additional 45 cameras set-up in different place in the state in unknown places and without warning signs. What will the fines be of those who are caught using phones illegally while driving?

  • First-time offenders will receive a warning letter.
  • The second time that the driver commits the same infraction, they will be fined $344.
  • If the driver is caught using it in the school zone where the lives of students may be at risk, the driver will be fined $457 and penalty points will be deducted from the driver's license

Constance said "The NSW Government is serious about reducing our state's road toll and rolling out mobile phone detection cameras is another way we will do this," Moreover, the officials said that they did a trial of the camera early this year and the cellphone detection camera caught more than 100,000 drivers who illegally use their phones. Based on statistics, 354 people died due to a road accident while 329 people died this year.

If these cellphone detection cameras will be set-up in the different cities in the state, this will help reduce the number of car accidents. The state aims to cut by 30 percent of the road accidents in 2021.