Almost one per cent of drivers pinged by SAPOL’s new cameras

Controversial new technology rolled out to catch drivers on their phones is set to deliver a whopping amount to the state’s coffers if their first week in action is any indication.

More than 8000 motorists have been busted potentially using their mobile while driving by new phone detection cameras within a week of the technology being switched on.

But alleged offenders will only receive a warning during a three months “educational” period that will run to September 19.

Cameras across five high-risk locations snapped 8603 instances where drivers were potentially caught doing the wrong thing between June 19 and 25, with 6397 warning letters to be issued so far.

Police say that number may increase in the coming days as they review more of the data.

The 8603 potential offences were detected among more than a million vehicles at five camera locations, meaning around 0.83 per cent of drivers may have failed to comply with the rules.

New mobile phone detection cameras have snapped more than 8000 drivers ignoring the call from South Australia Police (SAPOL) to leave their phones alone when behind the wheel. Picture: SAPOL

New mobile phone detection cameras have snapped more than 8000 drivers ignoring the call from South Australia Police (SAPOL) to leave their phones alone when behind the wheel., Picture: SAPOL

Drivers will not be fined or lose demerit points during a three-month educational period running from June to September this year.

But once the education period wraps up, those who catch the technology’s eye will be fined $556 (plus a $102 adult victims of crime levy – $20 for under 18s) and stripped of three demerit points by South Australia Police.

If figures from the the first week of use were to continue, fine revenue from the 6397 incidents where motorists have been sent warning letters would come in at $3.56m.

Over a year, that would extrapolate to $185m in fine revenue.

The cameras – located at South Road in Torrensville, North South Motorway in Regency Park, Port Wakefield Road in Gepps Cross, Southern Expressway in Darlington, and Port Road in Hindmarsh – are funded by a $15.9 million State Government investment.

But questions have surrounded the effectiveness of the technology after documents obtained by 7NEWS revealed that an earlier secret trial of the cameras showed “inconsistencies” with the results.

The report found that the occurrence of image quality issues was concerning and could cast doubt on the integrity and operation of the system.

However, a spokesman for SA Police earlier said “instances of false detections are extremely low” and a SAPOL officer would view the images before an expiation notice is issued when the system goes live.