28 Dec 2010

Rise in breaches of cellphone ban

3:23 pm on 28 December 2010

Police say a 50% increase in apprehensions of people using cellphones while driving is not necessarily a sign that drivers are becoming complacent.

In the first three months of the ban, introduced in November 2009, about 450 infringement notices per month were issued to motorists. In October, that rose to more than 800.

Police say that may be just a reflection of officers concentrating on drivers using cellphones.

However, the Dog and Lemon guide for car buyers says overseas experience shows that determined cellphone users are often not dissuaded by the possibility of being caught and fined.