Police target distracted drivers

Bay of Plenty Police are clamping down on motorists using handheld devices while they drive this week.

Starting today, police across New Zealand will target distracted drivers who put lives at risk by using mobile phones, tablets, i-Pods and other devices instead of concentrating on the road and their driving.


This week police will be cracking down on motorists who use mobile phones, tablets, i-Pods and other devices while driving as part of a nationwide campaign. Photo: File.

Over a 12-month period from June 2014, a total of 1,017 motorists across the Bay of Plenty region were stopped by police for using hand-held devices while driving, resulting in $80,080 in fines.

In the Eastern Bay a total of 75 motorists paid $6,000 in fines, while in the Western Bay a total of 457 motorists paid $36,400 in fines over that same 12-month period.

Also part of the Bay of Plenty policing region are Rotorua (341 motorists/$26,720 fines) and Taupo (144 motorists/$10,960 fines).

National road policing manager Superintendent Steve Greally is concerned by the number of people caught using their phones while driving, despite legislation being in place since November 2009.

The legislation makes it illegal to text or use a mobile phone when driving – even when a car is stationary at traffic lights or in a queue.

'Given that the law has been in place for more than five years now, there really is no excuse for drivers to keep offending,” says Steve.

'While mobile technology has increasingly allowed us all to stay connected, no text, call or social media update is so important it's worth risking life and limb for – or those of others on the road.”

The penalty for offending is an $80 infringement fee and 20 demerit points. For repeated offending, people can lose their licence, given that each offence carries with it 20 demerit points.

If 100 points are accumulated within two years, this results in an automatic loss of licence for three months.

While cell phones and other transmitting devices are a major contributor to distraction behind the wheel, Steve says these aren't the only high-risk behaviours police will be targeting.

Other instances includes putting on makeup, shaving, reading and being distracted by passengers.

Though there is no specific infringement offence for these other types of distractions, they can result in a more serious charge of careless driving, which requires a court appearance.

'Careless driving has stiffer penalties, with a fine of up to $3,000 and the potential for licence disqualification,” adds Steve.

'This is not all that these distracted drivers are risking – they are also at much greater risk of a fatal or serious crash if not paying full attention to driving, which could have tragic or life-altering consequences for them or other road users.”

Police will also be on the lookout for other high risk behaviours, such as people not wearing their safety belts and failing to stop at intersections.

Distractions

Too many people die or get seriously injured on our roads due to in-car distractions. From Monday onwards, Police will be paying particular attention to drivers who are distracted by their cell phones. Please resist the temptation to use your phone while you're driving - people's lives are more important than keeping up with the goss.

Posted by New Zealand Police on Thursday, 10 September 2015

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19 comments

Good

Posted on 14-09-2015 10:08 | By Capt_Kaveman

but checking your phone stopped at lights should not be illegal


There is a down side.

Posted on 14-09-2015 11:07 | By Murray.Guy

Anybody else noticed that yellow no parking lines now has an exception ... it's okay to suddenly swoop to the road side and park up with no regard to the safety of traffic and cyclists. Apparently yellow lines are now reserved spaces for motorists to park up and text or chat.


ITS ABOUT TIME

Posted on 14-09-2015 11:24 | By Watcher 1

You have only got to stand at intersections to note the large amount of Cars, Truck and Courier drivers holding onto mobiles and chatting away as they drive around. Perhaps the Police could check CCTV footage on camera's installed to see the culprits for themselves.


About Time

Posted on 14-09-2015 11:44 | By The Sage

On Saturday I was on the new motorway, the Eastern link. The car in front of me was tailgating a small truck in front of it so I decided to pass them to get some distance on it. As I passed I glanced into the car and the young woman driver had her cell phone sitting on the steering wheel and was texting. Had the truck stopped suddenly it would have been nasty.


traffic lights

Posted on 14-09-2015 12:40 | By whatsinaname

May be start at traffic lights i sick of waiting for people that using there phones when at red light and forget to look up. . Also when in line of traffic going slow. They think you can't tell if on phones it's quite obvious.


Avr

Posted on 14-09-2015 13:19 | By Anton

Checking your phone at a red traffic light is illegal,because you are using the road where you drive,park your car and it is alright.


Rule for All

Posted on 14-09-2015 13:36 | By wayjan

So, does this also apply to Police talking on their police radios while driving, or waiting at lights or intersections...or do they not have hand held radios?


Please set a better example

Posted on 14-09-2015 16:47 | By Kevin85

It would be a great example to the public if police officers stop talking on their cellphones whilst driving. It is far to often that I see them ignoring the rules.


concentrate

Posted on 14-09-2015 17:02 | By jencap

I'm sorry, but distraction, even at traffic light is bad driving. Pay attention and we'll all be a lot safer


Bit of common sense please wayjan

Posted on 14-09-2015 17:13 | By astex

Emergency vehicles have a NEED to use the radio and messages are brief and to the point. You can also make emergency calls from your phone legally whilst driving without breaking the law. What is it that makes people want to answer a call or read a text immediately anyway? I even saw a lady the other day get into her car and pick up the phone. She then struggled to get the car out of the parking space and drove down the road, still on the phone. Why did she not make the call and THEN drive.


@Wayjan

Posted on 14-09-2015 17:42 | By Colleen Spiro

For goodness sake....any damn reason to have a swipe at the Police....of course they use devices in cars.....that is how they are notified of accidents when people are using cell phones....It's their job.


distracted drivers

Posted on 14-09-2015 17:48 | By peter pan

Take their phone off them.


Time to recruit more Octopi

Posted on 14-09-2015 21:33 | By How about this view!

With all the extra work we expect the police to be doing. Maybe, we withdraw ACC assistance for irresponsible activity leading to an ACC claim. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY PEOPLE!!!


Wajan

Posted on 15-09-2015 03:21 | By Kenworthlogger

It is not illegal to talk on your cb or rt at the current time only a cell phone. Roger.


Hit them where it hurts

Posted on 15-09-2015 07:41 | By kopchai

Current fine in West Australia $400 !


Unbelievable!

Posted on 03-10-2015 21:22 | By Papamoaner

Some idiots commenting here do not realise that if you have a crash and it turns out your cellphone was in use (data is available at the central switch), regardless of whose fault the crash was, your insurance is null and void. That could cost you thousands for repairs to both vehicles. Just plain dumb.


I think

Posted on 04-10-2015 23:16 | By GreertonBoy

Its time the public started taking pics of police using phones whilst driving and ask the police chief what he thinks about that? Then again, it is prolly illegal to take a pic whilst driving too? Ok, maybe check dash/crash cams if you see it.... to me, it is unfair to have one rule for the police and another for civilians? I agree, lead by example... practice what you preach would be a good start.


@ Greertonboy

Posted on 07-10-2015 08:14 | By Papamoaner

Er, Piggy Muldoon would have said you haven't done your homework sonny. Police have an exemption and rightly so. it's so they can use full communication to come to your rescue when you desperately need help. But I suspect you would still put the boot into them at every opportunity, as some do.


Greetonboy

Posted on 07-10-2015 09:26 | By Kenworthlogger

So would you like to see the police have to keep to the speed limit when you call them in an emergency?


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