Mobile phone detection cameras to catch distracted Adelaide drivers from this week

Adelaide’s new mobile phone detection cameras are now snapping. See where and what will happen if you are caught.

Cameras to catch Adelaide drivers distracted by mobile phones will be switched on this week, with hefty fines for those caught breaking the law.

More than 70,000 drivers were caught using their mobile phones in three months of testing, it can be revealed, as they are turned on for real today.

But there’s a catch - you’ll only receive a written warning if busted before September 19.

The cameras were activated at 12.01am Wednesday, with motorists given a three-month grace period.

From September 19, SA Police will fine drivers caught illegally using their phones by the cameras $540 plus a $99 victims of crime levy and three demerit points.

Cameras are now active in five locations labelled “high-risk” by police including on South Rd at Torrensville, the North South Motorway at Regency Park, Port Wakefield Rd at Gepps Cross, the Southern Expressway at Darlington and Port Rd at Hindmarsh.

Cameras at two other locations still being decided on are expected to be installed by early 2025.

The mobile phone detection cameras, which pinged 71,044 offenders on their phones during testing between April 19 and June 16 this year, will be signed in the same way red light, point to point and speed cameras are.

Amendments to Australian road laws earlier this month mean drivers cannot hold their mobile phones in any capacity including in their lap

“Unfortunately for people who use their mobile phone, if they choose to do that and are detected, you are going to be fined and you are going to lose demerit points,” officer in charge of SA Police’s Traffic Support Branch Superintendent Darren Fielke said.

The phone detection cameras will operating on the Southern Expressway at Darlington, South Rd in Torrensville, North South Motorway in Regency Park, Port Rd at Hindmarsh and Port Wakefield Rd at Gepps Cross.

A mobile phone detection camera, situated above South Road, near Ashley Street, Torrensville. Picture: Dean Martin

“We know that people are still using mobile phones,” Superintendent Fielke said.

“And our message is really simple: please do not touch your mobile phone while driving.

“Just leave it alone.

“If you really desperately need to take a call or send a message, then pull over, park your vehicle and do that but using your phone while driving leads to up to four times the risk of being in a crash or a collision.”

Superintendent Fielke said driver distraction was a significant concern for police and had led to 199 deaths on South Australian roads in the past five years including 10 this year.

“People need to concentrate on the job of driving and not talking on their phone,” he said.

“People need to change their driving behaviour right now.

“If they haven’t had a chance to change it before, now is the time to do it.”

Signage at the five locations is expected to be installed during the three-month grace period.

According to the RAA, more than 31,000 drivers were caught using their phone behind the wheel by SA Police in the past five years – costing motorists more than $13 million in fines.

RAA senior manager of road safety Charles Mountain said distraction was one of the main causes of road trauma.

“These new mobile phone detection cameras being operational should serve as a timely reminder for drivers not to ever be tempted to touch their phone when they’re driving,” he said.

Testing is underway for mobile phone detection cameras on Adelaide’s busiest arterial roads, with fines to be handed out from September.

“You’re four times more likely to be involved in a crash while using a mobile phone – so it’s best to put your device away completely until you reach your destination.

“If you want to use GPS or navigation on your phone, the Australian Road Rules (Reg 300) makes it clear that your phone needs to be secured in a cradle that is commercially designed and manufactured for that purpose and is affixed to the vehicle – nor should it obstruct your visibility.”

The RAA is reminding drivers that motorists must be legally parked – in park, with the handbrake on – before using their mobile device.

Learner and P1 drivers are not permitted to use their phone for any reason – including for navigation or Bluetooth or hand-free calls.

Originally published as Mobile phone detection cameras to catch distracted Adelaide drivers from this week