Netherlands testing camera that detect driver texting

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Dutch first in EU to use smart cameras to catch ‘texting’ drivers

The Netherlands is the first country in Europe to use smart cameras for catching drivers holding their smartphones while driving. The cameras send the images of the filmed infringements directly to the Central Judicial Debt-Collection Office, which will send the violators a 240-euros fine.

Those who like to ‘app’ (use an app on their smartphone, e.n.) should better watch out since those cameras will be operational as of today, Monday. The cameras register the car’s license plate and the hands of the driver, not the face. According to the Prosecution, the images are so clear, a debate is excluded, and a fine is imposed immediately. The violator can claim the images and give notice of an appeal.

Similar cameras are used in Australia. During tests in the Netherlands, numerous infringements were registered. Two cameras registered 400 violators in one day. The cameras are operational night and day, in all weather circumstances, and they’re easily movable. The system, therefore, can be used elsewhere every day.

More chance to get caught

“People should get the feeling they can be fined anytime anywhere,” says Achilles Damen, traffic officer of the Prosecution, in Hart van Nederland. “This should keep people from using their smartphone behind the steering wheel.”

Unappropriate smartphone use seems to be the third big killer of younger drivers, the Belgian traffic safety institute Vias calculated last year. The other two are the obvious ones: alcohol and drugs behind the wheel and excess speed.

Last year, the Dutch police already decided to fine bike-riders that are cycling and using their smartphone simultaneously — using apps. Cycling and using a smartphone at the same time will be forbidden and immediately punished with a 95-euros fine. The measure was already announced in September 2018.
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newmobility.news

Dutch first in EU to use smart cameras to catch 'texting' drivers

The Netherlands is the first country in Europe to use smart cameras for catching drivers holding their smartphones while driving. The cameras send the images of the filmed infringements directly to the Central Judicial Debt-Collection Office, which will send the violators a 240-euros fine. Those...
newmobility.news newmobility.news
 
They need to retrofit Sanral Jhb eToll highway for this too (beside avg speed which I remember they were testing).
 
Pegasus said:
That's a bit unfair. I occasionally use an electric razor on the way to work.
I hope they can tell the difference.
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So their implementation isn’t fully automated to end fine.. rather it picks up potential infringement and this is evaluated by a traffic officer who determines if an offense has been committed.

So basically better using the officer’s time vs issuing fine.. which is way more efficient than trying to do the capture themselves too.

This is kinda like the Jhb WhatsApp hotline thingy where you submit evidence and they evaluate whether it’s valid to proceed further.

I see this as a solution model going forward for traffic offenses globally btw. Quite simply put, active traffic enforcement can only happen for a tiny % of roads or vehicles at any given time.

What I’m keen for is opening up the capture of infringement such that anyone can apply for a “license” to operate and then submit non speed violations for a fee. This if coupled with public transit and municipal infrastructure could provide decent revenue.

Longer term people/society will get back where it was before.. where people actually cared about driving well vs the current, catch me if you can mentality people have with everything.
 
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This in a country with...661 road deaths last year. I think there are more bicycle accidents due to texting (and drunk cycling) than car accidents here.

And yes, texting and cycling is against the law here.
 
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