Australian state switches on phone detection cameras

South Australia’s grace period for motorists caught by its mobile phone cameras is up, with authorities now fining drivers detected for using their devices illegally while behind the steering wheel.

From September 19, 2024, drivers caught using a mobile phone behind the wheel will face hefty fines and demerit point penalties.

Drivers 18 years and older will receive a $658 fine (which includes a $102 Victims of Crime levy) and three demerit points, while drivers under 18 will be fined $576 and hit with three demerit points.

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Mobile phone detection cameras have been in operation at five locations in South Australia since June 19, though no fines were issued for the duration of the three-month grace period.

During that time, SA Police issued 68,252 warning notices for mobile phone offences, equating to around 740 offences a day. The number of offences recorded at each of the five locations are detailed below:

• North South Motorway, Regency Park: 19,649
• South Road, Torrensville: 15,645
• Port Wakefield Road, Gepps Cross: 14,107
• Port Road, Hindmarsh: 12,415
• Southern Expressway, Darlington: 6436

In the three-month period, one driver received 33 warning letters, two drivers received 32 warning letters, and one driver received 31.

SA Police Traffic Services Brand Officer in Charge, Superintendent Darren Fielke, said police had “gone through a long process of educating drivers about the cameras, where they are operating and have provided a grace period – there is no excuse for being caught.”

“Taking your eyes off the road, even for a split second, to read or respond to a message, slows down your reaction time and increases the chances of having a crash.

“This applies even when you are stationary at traffic lights as you are slow to react to changing traffic conditions, such as lights changing, or the movement of pedestrians, bicycles or other vehicles.”

Authorities say that from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023, distraction played a role in causing crashes that resulted in 1715 serious injuries and 199 deaths in South Australia.

Distraction has been a suspected cause in 1631 casualty collisions so far this year, with 21 deaths and 215 serious injuries being attributed to distraction.

MORE: South Australia’s distracted driving problem laid bare by new camerasMORE: South Australia’s mobile phone detection cameras are online: What you need to know