Cyclists caught using their phone

Queensland police say they have not started issuing cyclists with demerit points, after an image of an infringement notice issued to a man allegedly caught using his phone on his bike was shared thousands of times on Facebook.

The ticket was included in a Queensland Police Service (QPS) blog post on Tuesday afternoon.

“The man was intercepted by police and issued a traffic infringement notice costing him $391 and three demerit points,” the blog said.

But the post caused mass confusion on Facebook, as many pointed out in Queensland cyclists cannot be issued with demerit points.

“If you break the road rules on your bicycle you may get a fine but no demerit points are given,” Queensland’s bicycle riding rules and finesstates.

On Wednesday morning a QPS spokeswoman confirmed the inclusion of the demerit points was an oversight.

“That infringement notice doesn’t have any demerit points attached to it. He’ll still have that fine though,” the spokeswoman said.

“It’s just a mistake that was on the ticket. Demerit points do not occur for bicycle riders.”

The blog has since been amended, and the picture removed.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Anne Savage said it was obvious the officer had incorrectly issued the rider with demerit points.

“We would welcome a renewed effort on the part of senior and district commanders to improve station-level awareness of the law,” she said.

Source
ABC News