Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby said behaviour such as eating a bowl of cereal with a spoon while driving would not pass the common sense test.
New AI safety cameras in Perth have detected thousands of instances of distracted driving, prompting Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby to call for greater driver awareness. In just one month, over 31,000 motorists received fines totaling $13 million due to unsafe driving behaviors, including eating, grooming, and using mobile phones while behind the wheel.
The initiative, which began monitoring drivers on October 8, resulted in more than 380,000 offenses being detected, leading to 65,000 caution notices issued. Among the infringements, authorities reported over 12,000 for mobile phone usage, more than 10,000 for not wearing seatbelts, and over 9,000 for speeding. The alarming footage captured by the cameras includes drivers applying nail polish, clipping their fingernails, and even one truck driver operating a laptop while traveling at 100 km/h without hands on the steering wheel.
Whitby emphasized the need for drivers to recognize when their actions compromise road safety. “Inherently we know when we don’t have proper control of the car,” he stated. He pointed out that balancing a bowl of cereal while driving is a clear example of poor judgment. The Minister noted that while having a drink in the car is acceptable, officers will exercise discretion when determining whether a driver’s actions warrant a fine.
Impact of AI Cameras on Road Safety
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch echoed Whitby’s concerns, describing some behaviors captured by the cameras as “ridiculous.” He urged drivers to remain vigilant, stating that lapses in attention can have fatal consequences. “If you get it wrong, or you don’t pay attention for a short amount of time, people die,” he warned.
The introduction of these cameras follows an eight-month grace period during which drivers were not penalized. The high volume of infringement notices indicates a significant level of distracted driving in Western Australia and highlights a potential lack of understanding regarding safe driving practices.
Legally, any act of driving without due care and attention is considered an offense under road safety laws. While the rules are clear about illegal behaviors such as speeding or using a mobile phone, the guidelines about less obvious distractions, such as eating or grooming, are less defined. Police retain the discretion to issue fines in cases where such actions may lead to an accident.
Lawyer Jack Hudson from the Hugo Law Group noted that the threshold for what constitutes careless driving is quite low. He explained that any action distracting a driver, even briefly, could result in serious legal repercussions. Although many drivers may feel comfortable sipping coffee while driving, Hudson cautioned that such actions must not divert attention from the road.
Calls for Improved Driver Education
The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) emphasized the importance of road safety awareness. General Manager Will Golsby stated that drivers should have a clear understanding of safe driving practices. “You need to concentrate on the road ahead,” he said, highlighting that distractions can endanger not only the driver but also pedestrians and cyclists.
Shadow Road Safety Minister Julie Freeman suggested that the revenue generated from fines could be redirected towards better education about safe driving practices. She expressed concern that many drivers may not fully understand what behaviors are acceptable while driving. “This is a good opportunity to double down and make sure that clear driver education about what’s acceptable, what’s not acceptable, and what the consequences of getting it wrong can be,” she asserted.
Western Australia has experienced a troubling rise in road fatalities, with 176 deaths recorded since the beginning of the year, the highest toll in nearly a decade. Of these, 93 occurred in regional areas and 83 in metropolitan regions. Whitby reflected on the somber implications of these statistics, especially during the holiday season when families may be missing loved ones at the Christmas table.
As the holiday period approaches, Whitby urged the public to remain vigilant on the roads. “There’s far too many families missing loved ones this Christmas,” he said, appealing for caution and responsibility among drivers. The push for safer driving practices is more crucial than ever, especially as more people travel during the festive season.
