Penalties for texting while driving could be about to get much tougher
It's clear that the message isn't getting through about the dangers of texting or looking at your mobile phone while driving, and authorities are considering making the penalties much tougher for doing so.
When 7News took its cameras out across Perth on Monday, driver after driver was caught staring at their screens.
One truck driver was seen staring at his phone for 17 seconds before briefly glancing up at the road.
His phone was in his hand as he drove 60km/hr along Great Eastern Highway.
On Shepperton Road in Victoria Park, cameras spotted the all-too-familiar head bob of a driver on their mobile.
"The message isn't getting through," WA Police Minister Michelle Roberts said.
The solution, according to former Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan, is hitting drivers in the hip pocket.
He wants offenders charged with dangerous driving; right now the penalty is $400 and loss of three demerit points.
A more serious charge of dangerous driving would see offenders fined $3000 and a loss of six demerit points.
Mum's harrowing warning after flu leaves her fighting for life six times
Police release vision of horrific road rage attack as investigations continue
A second offence would see the fine go up to $6000, with a 12-month licence ban and the possibility of nine months behind bars.
All driving penalties are currently under review, but Michelle Roberts isn't keen on the fine going up too much, noting that Western Australia already has the second-highest penalties in Australia.
Last financial year 17,000 West Australian drivers were caught driving whilst on their mobile phones, which equates to approximately 46 tickets being handed out every day.
Whilst driving, you can only touch a mobile phone to take or end a call if the phone is secured in a mount.
Looking at a text message is illegal, even if you are stopped at a red light.
