Queensland is rolling out recent ‘tailgating awareness monitors’ geared toward discouraging drivers from engaging within the unsafe act.
But while these will use cameras to assist discover and discourage tailgating drivers, the Department of Transport and Fundamental Roads (TMR) says they won’t be used to implement tailgating offences, so anybody identified by the monitors won’t be penalised.
After all, should a police officer spot you tailgating one other vehicle, you’ll be able to be fined $376 and one demerit point. Notably, nevertheless, what constitutes a “protected following distance” is isn’t expressly prescribed in laws.
Lots of of recent automotive deals can be found through CarExpert immediately. Get the experts in your side and rating an ideal deal. Browse now.
The brand new tailgating awareness monitors function like existing Speed Awareness Monitors – signs with digital readouts of vehicles’ speed, which read ‘Slow for SAM’ – with email correspondence boards installed near the detection sites.
You’ll get a green ‘Secure Gap’ message if you happen to’re travelling greater than two seconds behind the vehicle ahead, and a red ‘Too Close’ message if you happen to’re travelling lower than two seconds behind.
The monitors will operate 24 hours a day, seven days per week during an unspecified trial period.
They’ll be installed at as much as 4 locations in urban and regional areas, however the Queensland Government has not publicised their locations.
TMR says images captured by the system “will only be viewed by authorised personnel within the conduct of their official duties”.
The Queensland Governments says drivers must keep a “sufficient distance” behind a vehicle travelling in front of them so that they can safety stop to avoid a possible crash. This distance varies depending in your speed and the driving conditions.
The most recent Annual Road Safety Survey by the Royal Automotive Club of Queensland (RACQ) found greater than 20 per cent of drivers admitted to tailgating or verbally abusing other drivers, with the motoring club observing a rise in aggressive behaviour amongst drivers.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
