Queenslanders have copped $159 million in fines from mobile phone and seatbelt cameras in the 12 months since they began enforcement across the state last year.
More than 170,000 Queensland drivers and front-seat passengers have been caught by the cameras.
Of those, 119,862 drivers were using their phones illegally and 52,542 drivers or front-seat passengers were either wearing a seatbelt incorrectly, or not at all.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the figures are shocking and indicate Queenslanders are too willing to risk their lives on the roads.
"Each offender needs to ask themself what value they place on their lives, as using a mobile phone while driving or failing to wear a seatbelt or wear it correctly could easily end in tragedy – that's the reality," he said.
"Using a mobile phone while driving is as dangerous as driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.07-0.10."
Recent federal government figures showed 1,196 people were killed on Australia's roads in the 12 months to October 31 — a 6 per cent increase from the year before.
Fines cost more than $1,000
Mobile phone and seatbelt cameras began operating across Queensland on July 26, 2021, but only started being used to issue penalties from November 1 last year.
The cameras, which can be portable or fixed, take multiple images of every vehicle passing the camera.
Artificial intelligence software is used to detect possible breaches of mobile phone or seatbelt laws.
If an offence is suspected, the image is sent to the Department of Transport and Main Roads for confirmation.
Currently, a driver caught either breaching mobile phone or seatbelt laws by the cameras can expect to receive a $1,078 fine and four demerit points.
Those fines were increased on July 1, with seatbelt breaches increasing by $665 and mobile phone breaches increasing by $45.
Mr Bailey said that all revenue raised through the cameras is reinvested in road safety initiatives and education programs.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has also targeted drink driving approaching the Christmas period, aiming for a record low year in terms of the road toll.
Research by RACQ showed that one in eight people admitted to drink driving in the past 12 months.
Mr Bailey said people should be more aware of the impact their decisions have on others.
"When we drive on our roads it's not just about you as a driver, it's about your passengers, it's about other people using the roads, and that means not drink driving, that means not being distracted with your mobile phone, and that means wearing a seatbelt," he said.
"Those simple things will save lives."
