Leave the phone alone

Queensland now has the most severe penalties in the country for motorists using phones whilst driving. Laws that took effect from 1 February 2020 will see first offenders hit with fines of $1,000 and 4 demerit points.

For second offences, committed within 12 months of the first offence, drivers will incur double demerit points and a likely loss of licence.

Of course, one of the reasons for the harsher penalties is to reduce the harm being done on our roads by distracted drivers, including instances of dangerous driving causing death or serious injury.

It is worth remembering that in Queensland, the majority of persons convicted of dangerous driving causing death have no previous criminal history. They are often everyday people who have put the public at risk while driving. 

The Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council have reported that 99.4% of dangerous driving causing death cases result in a custodial sentence. 

We will be following whether these changes are followed by an improved road toll or just an improved bottom line for Treasury.