The start of infringements – fines and demerit points – follows a three-month warning period which saw cameras detect more than 18,000 Canberrans using their mobile device while driving, says ACT government spokesperson Kirra Cox.

Since the introduction of mobile device detection cameras across Canberra in February last year, more than 63,000 drivers have been detected using mobile devices while driving, equating to 180 drivers a day.

“From next week, infringements for offences detected by the cameras will commence, resulting in fines of $514 and three demerit points,” says Ms Cox.

The ACT government understands that some Canberra households are facing cost-of-living pressures. Payment plans will be available for vulnerable members of the community who may struggle to pay the infringement in full.

Know the rules

While a vehicle is moving, or stationary, such as being stopped at traffic lights, the driver cannot use a mobile device. They cannot hold the device or operate any function of the device, including for video calling, texting, emailing, social media, web browsing or photography.
 
Drivers cannot have a mobile device resting on, or kept in place by, any part of their body such as their lap or leg, tucked between their leg and the seat, between their shoulder and ear, or an item on their lap.