Fixed mobile phone detection cameras here by end of next year

Police are planning for the rollout of new fixed mobile-phone detection cameras that are expected to catch thousands of motorists and rake in tens of millions of dollars.

Police expect fixed cameras that catch motorists using their mobile phone to be operational towards the end of next year – with a three month grace period following their rollout.

Legislation to allow the introduction of the high-definition mobile phone detection cameras is set to be introduced into state parliament.

The latest figures reveal the fixed cameras are expected to rake in tens of millions of dollars in revenue with 37,230 people expected to be caught in 2023/24 and 28,105 the following year.

The current expiation fee for using a mobile phone while driving is $565 plus a $94 victims of crime levy. The offence also attracts three demerit points.

Police Minister Joe Szakacs will today give notice to amend the Road Traffic Act to allow the use of the cameras, with police and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport to tender for supply of the cameras once the amendment passes.

At this stage both the number of cameras to be purchased and the locations they will be placed has not been established.

Minister Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services Joe Szakacs. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Mr Szakacs said the cameras were an important deterrence for those tempted to use a mobile phone while driving.

“Inattention is the leading cause of death and serious injury on South Australian roads, a stark fact that demonstrates the importance of ensuring police can utilise all methods to prohibit road users from using their mobile phones while driving,’’ he said.

“The State Government plans to do everything we can to prevent tragedies occurring to our families, friends and colleagues each year.

“It is my hope as Minister that through driver education these cameras will become redundant as drivers realise the dangers of using their phones while driving.’’

In 2018 a trial of one camera on the Bakewell Underpass on Henley Beach Rd found that one in 20 drivers were using their mobile phones while driving.

The cameras are already operating in NSW and Queensland and are being trialled in Victoria and the ACT.

Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said the “use of a mobile phone whilst driving is a dangerous and potentially fatal act.’’

“Both education and enforcement play important roles in reducing the incidence of dangerous driving behaviours,’’ he said.

“If we can increase the likelihood of detecting someone using their phone, we have a higher chance of influencing this dangerous behaviour.

“The prevention of one death or serious injury through detecting illegal mobile phone use will make the introduction of this technology worthwhile.’’

The amendment to the Road Traffic Act is likely to pass state parliament relatively smoothly.

The initiative was first mooted by the former Liberal government with then Road Safety Minister Vincent Tarzia labelled the mobile phone detection cameras “an important tool to save lives and keep motorists accountable on the road.’’

When announced in 2020 State Budget projections showed the cameras would generate more than $15.6m in revenue in just the first year of operation – or about $300,000 a week.

The former government allocated $19.4m in the 2020-21 budget to establish the project, but it was delayed.

Police figures reveal between 2017 and 2021, 247 or 51 per cent of lives lost on SA roads had distraction listed as a contributing factor in the crash.