The reason illegal phone use is being targeted on our roads this Easter

Motorists are being urged to stay vigilant on the roads this Easter and avoid distraction, amid new research which reveals the alarming rate at which drivers are illegally using their phones.

This week, NSW Police called for drivers to follow the road rules across the long weekend, coinciding with the launch of an Easter double demerits campaign on Thursday morning targeting speeding, mobile phone use, seatbelt and helmet offences.

New data reveals alarming phone use

It comes as new real-world data from RoLLiN’ Insurance – a subsidiary of IAG, owner of NRMA Insurance – has identified phone use as one of the more troubling road user habits in 2026.

RoLLiN’ analysed more than 72 million kilometres of real-world driving data through its Safe n Save` program to discover that one in eight Aussie motorists is using their phones illegally while behind the wheel, according to new findings delivered this week.

With their consent, the program tracks policyholders’ driving habits, including phone use, acceleration and braking – affording them a potential discount on their premium based on a safety score.

RoLLiN’ executive manager Brendan Griffiths said the alarming phone use was putting drivers, passengers and pedestrians at heightened risk over the busy Easter long weekend.

“On high‑risk days like these, phone use remains one of the most widespread unsafe driving behaviours we see across all ages, genders and states.”

According to the RoLLiN’ data, 5pm on Good Friday and 1pm on Easter Saturday statistically loomed as the most likely timeslots for unsafe driving behaviour.

The analysis reveals Victoria as the worst state in Australia for illegal phone use, detected in one in every seven car trips, while ACT motorists received the best score, detected in one in every 10 trips.

Double demerits and police crackdown

Mobile phone detection cameras are active in NSW and the ACT and drivers caught using their phones during a double demerit period will be hit with a $423 fine ($562 in a school zone) and 10 demerit points.

"On unfamiliar roads and in heavier holiday traffic, you need every bit of attention. At just 50 km/h, looking away from the road for one second means travelling almost three car lengths without seeing what’s ahead,” Griffiths said. 

“When drivers are using their phone over an average 10km trip, it can add up to around 400 metres driven while distracted, like driving around an athletic track without looking."

Illegal mobile phone use has been identified as one of NSW Police’s key targets in their annual Operation Easter campaign. It comes as road deaths continue to rise in NSW, already surpassing 88 deaths at the time of writing (an increase of 11 over the same period in 2024).

Minister for Police Yasmin Catley urged drivers to play their part in being safe.

“This Easter, we’re asking drivers to think about the people that matter most to them and slow down, drive to the conditions and make smart choices,” Catley said.

“Police will be out in force targeting illegal, reckless behaviour because we all want the same thing: to avoid another preventable tragedy and ensure our loved ones make it home alive.”

Double demerits will run in NSW from Thursday April 2 to Monday April 6, 2026.