Victoria deploys AI cameras to catch distracted drivers

Victoria's push to curb distracted driving on its roads took a significant step this week, with new enforcement measures now firmly in place following a spike in fatal accidents.

The state recorded 240 deaths on its roads in 2022, an uptick from 233 the previous year. Of those killed, more than a quarter were not wearing seatbelts. In response, authorities rolled out stricter rules governing phone use and device operation while driving, enforced by a fleet of AI-powered detection cameras positioned at high-risk crash sites.

The measures centre on restricting how drivers interact with mobile devices and other technology. Full-licence drivers retain some flexibility: they can use built-in vehicle systems and mounted devices for navigation and music, provided they do not handle text entry, image viewing or scrolling. Wearable devices such as smartwatches may be used, but only via voice commands. Motorbike riders with helmet-mounted devices face similar constraints.

Learner and provisional licence holders face far tighter restrictions. They cannot touch portable devices at all, whether for calls, navigation or music — even a phone resting in a lap is unlawful. Voice commands are forbidden. The only workaround: pull over and park. The same logic applies to mounted devices; a provisional rider cannot adjust a helmet system while riding.

Enforcement carries a steep cost. Standard drivers caught violating the rules face a $555 fine and four demerit points. If the matter proceeds to court, the fine can increase to $1,849. Learner and provisional drivers who accumulate more than four demerit points within a year will lose their licence outright.

The cameras themselves combine artificial intelligence with human oversight. While algorithms flag potential violations from road footage, trained staff review flagged images before any enforcement action takes place. This hybrid approach aims to reduce false positives while scaling enforcement beyond what traditional patrols could manage across the state's 6.6 million residents.

The rollout gives drivers a three-month grace period before penalties apply in earnest. Authorities are treating this window as an education phase, allowing motorists time to understand and adjust to the new rules before the financial sting hits.

The shift signals a hardening stance on road safety that extends beyond phones. Seatbelt compliance, equally targeted by the detection systems, remains a key focus. The fact that nearly a quarter of last year's fatalities involved unbelted occupants suggests the existing message has not yet landed across the driving population.

Authorities argue the measures are necessary to address a persistent hazard. Distracted driving remains a leading cause of crashes, and new technology offers a scalable enforcement tool where officer presence alone cannot cover all high-risk areas. The regulation of inexperienced drivers reflects a recognition that inexperience compounds risk when paired with cognitive distraction.