New cellphone rule to be strictly policed

Drivers using their cellphones can expect to pay the penalty - no excuses - Timaru Police officer in charge of road policing Sgt Nevil Page says.

As of last Sunday it has been illegal to use a handheld cellphone while driving.

Those caught doing so risk an $80 fine and 20 demerit points on their licence.

"Every officer has their own discretion, but the rule of thumb is that if we are able to detect people, we will give them their $80 fine and 20 demerit points," Sgt Page said.

Police would be busy enforcing the new law, with officers positioned at intersections or roundabouts - possibly in unmarked cars - pulling over drivers using cellphones, he said.

Timaru District Council road safety co-ordinator Daniel Naude, of Timaru, said police should initially approach the law by watching out for danger related to using cellphones and driving.

"They should start out enforcing the law vigilantly and then gradually become more consistent."

Mr Naude could not say how often crashes were caused by drivers using cellphones, as non-injury crashes did not have to be reported to police and many drivers involved in injury crashes did not admit they had been using their cellphone.

"It is also impossible to say because often drivers have been so distracted by their phones that they don't even realise they had a near miss."

However, Sgt Page said he had noticed texting while driving was an ongoing problem in South Canterbury.

"Over the past 10 years, there have been a couple of fatal crashes in South Canterbury because of people on cellphones.

"With South Canterbury's hilly terrain, drivers need to have both hands on the wheel and have full concentration."

Sgt Page believed the fine incurred from using a cellphone while driving would not deter people, but the demerit points would.

"The demerit points are the biggest sledgehammer you have. The $80 is just a reminder. It isn't a big fine."