High-tech cameras can spot texting drivers

Queensland drivers distracted by their mobile phones could soon be caught by high-tech cameras to be trialed by the government.

More than 20,000 drivers are nabbed across the state for being distracted behind the wheel each year, equating to about 54 per day.

The new cameras, however, nearly double that statistic, with a staggering five drivers caught each hour.

The cameras take pictures of each car that passes, which are then analysed by a computer. Those doing the wrong thing face hefty fines.

The creator of the technology, Alex McCredie from One Tast said people had been caught reading, eating and even using drugs behind the wheel.

“If you do use your mobile phone while driving this technology can and will get you,” he said.

The technology has been approved for use in NSW.

The Queensland government wants to see how it fares there before conducting its own trial.

Transport minister Mark Bailey said privacy was one of the issues the government had to consider.