The latest survey was conducted in February
The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) recently conducted a survey of drivers, asking them which road safety issue concerned them most. There were four options to choose from: speeding, drivers using phones, reversing and potholes.
Nearly half of users (42.6%) said their biggest concern was drivers using smartphones while driving. 31.1% of respondents are concerned about potholes on the roads. 13.1% each voted for the remaining two points.
The RACV survey was conducted in February 2024 in response to the Victorian government's announcement that distracted drivers had been caught on camera paying more than A$17 million in fines over the past six months.
Mobile phone and seat belt camera detection systems were introduced as part of the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030 at a cost of $33.7 million. From July 1 to December 30, 2023, they caught 30,231 distracted drivers, with drivers facing a penalty of four demerit points and a $577 fine.
James Williams, RACV Head of Policy, said: «RACV survey shows Victorians continue to notice people using their phones or devices while driving and consider this their top priority safety problem on our roads».