Undercover traffic police have helped nab more than 60 drivers on their phones in a two-day operation in the South East.
As part of Operation Spotto, 187 offences were detected in Springvale, Cranbourne and Dandenong over 15-16 February.
Sixty-eight drivers were using mobile phones, 19 not wearing seatbelts, 19 disobeying traffic lights/signs and 15 speeding.
There were also five unregistered vehicles, three disqualified drivers and three drug drivers caught.
Police also issued 18 vehicle defect notices.
During the op, officers with walkie-talkies posed as pedestrians as they spied on drivers touching their phones.
“People are stuck in the cars at traffic lights, and they can’t help but go for their phone,” State Highway Patrol Sergeant Harry Lazarou told Nine News during an operation on Springvale Road.
“We always get the ‘I’ve got to call the boss, I’m running late’, but a lot of the time they’re just their scrolling on social media.”
New road rules were introduced in 2023 that now include looking at, touching or having a mobile device resting on a driver’s body.
The penalty for using or touching phones while driving is $577 and four demerit points.
Not wearing a seatbelt will result in a $385 fine and the loss of three demerit points.
“To people that say it’s revenue raising, I say it’s all voluntary contributions.
“This is part of the fatal five, which is distraction, impairment, fatigue, speed and seatbelts, so there is just zero tolerance from police.”
