Over 50,000 Auckland drivers spotted using phones in two months

Waka Kotahi reported today that a six month trial to monitor Auckland road-users driving behaviours has already detected over 50,000 potential driving offences in less than two months.

Starting on May 23 this year, the trial saw two cameras installed at three undisclosed locations around Auckland which have already detected 50,333 potential mobile phone use offences. That’s an average of 800 a day.

The number represents 1.14 per cent of the 4.4 million vehicles which have travelled through the site to date.

Each camera captures vehicles moving through the site and detects drivers who don’t have both hands on the steering wheel, one of which could be using a mobile device.

The cameras also started detecting whether vehicle occupants are wearing a seatbelt or not from July 23.

As the trial is merely an information gathering exercise, no legal action is being taken regarding the offences.

Kane Patena, Waka Kotahi Director of Land Transport says the initial data is providing useful insight into the camera technology itself as well as providing evidence on the level of offending. 

“The purpose of this trial is twofold – to test the camera technology and ensure that it is capable of detecting offences, and to build on the evidence base to help us better understand the scale of illegal mobile phone use and non-wearing of seatbelts.”

It’s likely the new camera technology refers to the smarter “safety cameras” Waka Kotahi recently placed 26 orders for to add to the current 142-strong network that could be put into use by the end of next year.