Tougher penalties will apply to drivers illegally using a mobile phone while driving, according to the NSW Government. 

On Monday 17 September, the demerit point penalty for using a mobile phone while driving have increased from four to five points.

During holiday periods, offenders will be subject to 10 demerit points, up from 8 points. 

Centre for Road Safety Executive Director Bernard Carlon said the illegal use of mobile phone while driving is becoming a growing concern in NSW with more than 40,000 people being fined for illegal mobile phone use last financial year. 

“At 60km/h, a car travels 33 metres in two seconds, at 100km/h it travels 55 metres. Take your eyes off the road for a few seconds and you continue to travel, virtually blind,” Mr Carlon said. 

“Such a short lapse of concentration can have significant and devastating consequences and from 2012 to 2017, nine people lost their lives and 50 people were seriously injured because someone was using a mobile phone while driving.”

Fines against those who use their mobile phone while driving will remain as $337, or $448 if detected in a school zone. 

A legislation has passed recently to support testing of camera-based technology to enforce mobile phone offences in the future. 

“This will send the drivers of NSW a clear message that using a mobile phone while driving is potentially deadly and will not be tolerated on NSW roads,” Mr Carlon said.

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