Peak driving stupidity: Shocking photo shows motorist risking life and limb by attaching an iPad to the steering wheel

  • Image taken during peak-hour shows driver with iPad strapped to steering wheel
  • The mobile device is attached to the bottom of the wheel, out of police view
  • Police crime manager Craig Wonders said that it posed an 'obvious distraction'
  • The government is cracking down on the use of mobiles behind the wheel
  • Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said demerit deductions will go from four to five

A troubling image captured during peak-hour traffic has shown a motorist taking negligent driving to another level by strapping an iPad to the steering wheel to allow viewing during commutes.

The photograph, taken on busy Pittwater Road at Collaroy, northern Sydney, revealed the driver's innovative approach to using a mobile device on the go: attaching the iPad to the bottom of the wheel, out of police view.

Northern Beaches Police crime manager Craig Wonders was quick to criticise the reckless act.

A troubling image captured during peak-hour traffic has shown a motorist taking negligent driving to another level by strapping an iPad to the steering wheel so they can watch it while they commute

A troubling image captured during peak-hour traffic has shown a motorist taking negligent driving to another level by strapping an iPad to the steering wheel so they can watch it while they commute

The photograph, taken on busy Pittwater Road (pictured) at Collaroy, northern Sydney, revealed the driver's dangerous approach to using a mobile device on the go

The photograph, taken on busy Pittwater Road (pictured) at Collaroy, northern Sydney, revealed the driver's dangerous approach to using a mobile device on the go

'The use of a mobile device of any description while driving is of concern to police,' Inspector Wonders told The Daily Telegraph.

'The use of an iPad while driving is an obvious distraction that potentially places the driver and other road users at great risk.'

Over a period of 10 months leading up to April this year, an average of 67 drivers a month were hit with a $337 fine for driving with a device visible.

Now the government is cracking down on the offence.

Now the government is cracking down on the offence of driving a vehicle with a device visible (stock image)

Now the government is cracking down on the offence of driving a vehicle with a device visible (stock image)

NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey announced on Tuesday that the number of demerit points docked for illegally using mobile devices behind the wheel would increase from four to five. 

In May, the State Government passed legislation allowing for the installation of a new type of stationary camera that is designed to detect illegal mobile device use by drivers.

In the five-year period between 2012 and 2017 a staggering 184 crashes involved illegal mobile phone use, Mrs Pavey said, resulting in a total of seven deaths and 105 injuries.