Major problems uncovered as SA’s new mobile phone cameras fail key road test

Controversial new cameras aimed at South Australian motorists have run into serious trouble during a key test, it can be revealed.

The effectiveness of South Australian’s controversial new mobile phone cameras have been thrown into doubt, amid claims police will need to personally check every potential new fine for accuracy.

A cache of official documents, released under freedom of information laws shows motorists were caught during a secret trial of the camera last year.

But as the state government prepares to formally roll out the technology, a Trial Evaluation Summary obtained by 7NEWS has revealed “inconsistencies” with the results.

The report said the occurrence of image quality issues was concerning, and would likely raise doubt on the overall integrity and operation of the system.

The trial was conducted between April 1 to April 28 last year, at a trial site along South Rd at Thebarton.

7NEWS has the first pictures from Adelaide’s new eyes in the sky – the staggering number of drivers caught using their phones plus the secret test results. Could innocent motorists be caught in the net? Exclusive details in 7NEWS Adelaide at 6pm. #7NEWSpic.twitter.com/TluohFdyYm

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) May 13, 2024

During the trial period, data inconsistencies were also detected which were believed to be related to accurately detecting car speed for slow moving and accelerating or decelerating cars.

“This clearly indicates that extensive testing/verification will need to be performed prior to going live,” the report stated.

The cameras were tested on South Road at Thebarton. Picture Dean Martin

“The lack of vehicle detection details and the lack of detailed log files make it virtually impossible to determine the frequency of missing vehicle detections or false negative incidents.”

However, a spokesman for SA Police said “instances of false detections are extremely low”.

“When the system is live, a SAPOL officer will view the images prior to an expiation notice being issued,” the spokesman said.

SA Police said the concerns for false detections will be addressed during the formation testing phase, which will also lessen expiations notices being issued incorrectly.

“All vehicles that pass through the cameras will be tested by the AI, and only those determined as distracted will be processed by SAPOL for further adjudication,” the spokesman said.

“Images of compliant drivers are immediately discarded by the system.”

The cameras are supposed to detect if driver’s are using their phones.

The testing will continue until June 19, when the cameras officially begin recording for a fourth grace period that will end on September 19.

Motorists will receive a warning letter from SA Police during the grace period, then a $540 fine, $99 victims of crime levy and loss of three demerit points when the devices come into full operation.

One in 84 motorists – 177 per day – has been caught on their phones, since the single-lane trial of the cameras on South Rd at Torrensville began last year.

A total of 4955 incidents were detected out of 415,805 passing cars.

The phone detectors are part of a $15 million state government to limit road trauma, and have been fitted on South Rd, Torrensville, the Southern Expressway at Darlington, the North-South Motorway at Regency Park and Port Wakefield Rd, Gepps Cross.