Queensland's New Real-Time Driver Warning System: What You Need to Know

Queensland is set to introduce innovative roadside technology that will provide real-time feedback to drivers engaging in dangerous behaviors. The Behaviour Awareness Monitoring (BAM) system, developed by Acusensus, will be trialed on Queensland roads by the end of 2024.

How the System Works

The BAM cameras will monitor and display immediate warnings to drivers who are:

Tailgating other vehicles
Using mobile phones while driving

Unlike traditional enforcement cameras, these monitors won't issue fines but instead focus on education and behavioral change. The system will also provide positive reinforcement to drivers following safe practices.

Trial Locations and Timeline

The technology will be installed at four locations:

Two sites in Townsville
Two sites in South East Queensland

These monitors will be positioned over single-lane, straight roads with speed limits between 60-80 km/h. The trial was initially delayed as authorities expanded its scope to include tailgating detection alongside mobile phone use monitoring.

Why This Matters for Queensland Drivers

Tailgating consistently ranks as a top frustration among Queensland drivers according to RACQ surveys. The motoring body's road safety manager Joel Tucker notes it's "frequently been the number one frustration reported in our annual pet peeve surveys".

This initiative comes amid growing concerns about road safety across Australia. Queensland recorded 303 road fatalities in 2024, with 2025 tracking to be even worse according to recent data.

The Broader Road Safety Picture

This trial is part of a wider push to address dangerous driving behaviors across Australia. NSW has already been expanding point-to-point speed cameras to reduce serious accidents and fatalities. Meanwhile, Easter holiday operations resulted in over 12,000 drivers being fined across NSW and Queensland this year.

The financial impact of tailgating alone is estimated at around $1 billion annually, according to research cited in public discussions about the issue.

Mobile Phone Rules: A Refresher

As the BAM system will target phone use while driving, it's worth remembering Queensland's strict mobile phone laws:

For P1 drivers under 25:

No mobile phone use whatsoever while driving
This includes hands-free kits, Bluetooth devices, and wireless headsets
Even having the phone in your pocket and using it in any way is prohibited
Passengers cannot use a phone on loudspeaker while you are driving

For fully licensed drivers in NSW:

Using a mobile phone illegally incurs five demerit points
During double demerit periods, this increases to 10 points
Phones can only be used as driver aids if secured in a cradle
Drivers must be parked out of traffic to use other phone functions

Expert Opinion

Acusensus CEO Alexander Jannink believes the technology will make a significant difference: "Real-time intervention can save lives by influencing driver behavior before an accident occurs. BAM is a critical advancement in road safety technology".

Road safety experts recommend that if you're being tailgated, the safest response is to slow down slightly to create more space between you and the vehicle ahead. This provides a larger margin for error if sudden braking is required.

What's Next?

The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads is working with researchers from CARRS-Q to develop and test effective messaging for the roadside displays. The technology has already undergone off-road testing and is scheduled for on-road trials later this year.

As Australia continues to battle rising road tolls and dangerous driving behaviors, these technological interventions represent an important shift toward prevention rather than just punishment. For Queensland drivers, the message is clear: the roads are getting smarter about keeping you safe.