By NATALIE GALLENTI-BREKALO
ALMOST 1000 City of Melton motorists have been nabbed using their mobile phones behind the wheel.
Victoria Police statistics reveal 966 drivers were caught using mobile devices while driving during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 financial years.
The alarming data comes in the wake of Operation Break Up which targeted the fatal five road user behaviours known to cause road trauma – speed, impairment, distraction, fatigue and seat belts. The campaign had a particular state-wide focus on driver distraction and seatbelts.
Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill said he would make no apologies for punishing drivers who used mobile phones and did not wear seat belts.
He said police would continue to zero-in on pedestrians not crossing the road correctly.
“That ticket may just be the reminder or the intervention needed to prevent someone being seriously injured or killed in a collision,” Assistant Commissioner Hill said.
“I urge all road users to turn off the distractions and switch on when you are out on the roads.
“The use of mobile phones is currently our biggest driver distraction issue. The recent increase in the penalty for the use of a mobile phone while driving is reflective of the danger this creates.”
Assistant Commissioner Hill said driving was a complex task and required full concentration.
“Any distraction can impair a driver’s reaction time, ability to maintain speed and position on the road and general awareness of other road users,” he said.
