South Australia is the latest state to switch on new cameras intended to detect drivers using their mobile phones behind the wheel, but it isn’t fining offenders… yet.
The cameras came online today, but the state is conducting a three-month “educational period” where vehicle owners will only receive a warning letter and not a fine or demerit points.
Come September 19, 2024, however, those caught doing the wrong thing will be slugged with a $658 fine (which includes a $102 Victims of Crime levy) and three demerit points.
The educational period follows a testing period, where South Australia Police (SAPOL) says 71,044 mobile phone usage incidents were detected from 6,794,050 passing vehicles – representing little more than one per cent of motorists.
The cameras are active in the following locations:
- South Road, Torrensville
- North South Motorway, Regency Park
- Port Wakefield Road, Gepps Cross
- Southern Express, Darlington
- Port Road, Hindmarsh
Two more as-yet unspecified locations are being considered, with these cameras expected to be installed in early 2025.
As with South Australia’s fixed speed, red light and point-to-point cameras, the new mobile phone detection cameras will be marked with signage.
The grace period for fines only applies to offences detected by the cameras, so SAPOL is warning you not to touch your phone, regardless of where you are.
Touching your phone includes having it resting on your lap, per a recent change to the Australian Road Rules that came into effect on June 6, 2024.
“We have seen from other jurisdictions a significant change in behaviour of people not using their mobile phones after the introduction of mobile phone detection cameras, so by introducing these cameras to high-risk areas, we hope this will contribute to improving driver behaviour,” said Superintendent Darren Fielke, Officer in Charge of SAPOL’s Traffic Support Branch.
SAPOL says the cameras use artificial intelligence (AI) to process images and identify drivers using their mobile phone illegally.
“From here, images are reviewed by unsworn adjudicators who have specific training,” SAPOL says.
Revenue from fines will be returned to the state’s Community Road Safety Fund, which is used for safety improvements, education programs and public advertising.
Most states and territories in Australia use some form of mobile phone detection camera, with some jurisdictions employing portable cameras and others installing fixed units.
MORE: Which Australian states and territories use mobile phone cameras?
