Tasmania Police conducted a traffic operation in the Hobart CBD this morning where

22 drivers were caught using their mobile phones within a 90 minute period, including two provisional licence holders.

Police are reminding drivers that it is illegal to:

• hold a mobile phone in your hand or rest it on any part of your body (whether or not you are on a phone call)
• type or enter anything into a mobile phone
• send or look at anything that is on a mobile phone (including text messages)
• turn a mobile phone on or off
• operate any other function of a mobile phone.

All learners and P1 provisional (first year) licence holders are banned from using mobile phones whilst driving (including when a vehicle is stationary, but not parked). This includes hands-free and voice-activation mode.

Acting Inspector Adrian Leary of Southern Road Police Services said that mobile phone use is considered one of the fatal five offences and it is disappointing that we continue to detect people driving whilst distracted by their phones.

“Safety on our roads is a priority for Tasmania Police. We will continue to conduct both highly visible and covert operations that target the fatal five – speeding, fatigue, distraction, seatbelts, and alcohol and drugs.”