Everything you need to know before mobile phone detection cameras go live

Mobile phone detection cameras will start issuing fines from this Sunday. Here’s everything you need to know to avoid getting pinged and why P-platers will need to lock theirs in the boot.

Drivers will face massive fines if snapped by mobile phone detection cameras. Picture: Damian Shaw

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For the past three months mobile phone detection cameras have been snapping drivers with their hands on it and issuing them warning letters.

But come Sunday those warning letters will be replaced by $344 fines and the loss of five demerit points — almost half of a full licence.

Initially the three-month trial involved 10 mobile and fixed cameras in unmarked locations across Sydney and regional NSW.

However the government is refusing to disclose how many cameras will be used when the new enforcement strategy officially “goes live” on Sunday, with the potential to roll out hundreds across the state.

Drivers will be issued fines from mobile phone detection cameras from this Sunday.

The government says new cameras are estimated to prevent around 100 fatal and serious injury crashes over the next five years.

Transport for NSW’s Centre for Road Safety executive director Bernard Carlon said a trial of

cameras earlier last year caught more than 100,000 drivers illegally using a phone.

Bernard Carlon.

“Independent modelling has shown these cameras could prevent around 100 fatal and serious injury crashes over five years,” Mr Carlon said.

“There is strong community support for more enforcement, with 80 per cent of people surveyed supporting use of detection cameras to stop illegal mobile phone use.”

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

■ As mentioned above the fine is a whopping $344 and five points but this jumps to a $457 fine in a school zone, and 10 points during double demerit periods;

■ Mobile phone detection cameras will be unmarked. Some will be fixed and some will be mobile and mounted on trailers;

This is what to look out for: A trailer-mounted mobile phone detection camera in action.

■ All Learner, P1 and P2 drivers will exceed their demerit threshold and lose their licence immediately if they are detected;

■ Restricted licence holders (L’s and Ps) cannot use their phone to make a call, use GPS or listen to music at all, even if it is in a cradle or via Bluetooth;

■ All licence holders can use their phone if they are parked and out of the line of traffic, the car’s ignition does not have to be switched off;

■ All drivers can access their mobile phone wallet functions to make a transaction, show a coupon or access an area, providing the vehicle is stationary and off the road, such as in a carpark, driveway or drive-thru;

Drivers will not be able to fondle their phones at traffic lights once the new cameras come it. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

■ Unrestricted licence holders can still touch their phone to make or receive a call, play audio functions or using GPS only if it is in a cradle, which is fixed to the car in a manner intended by the manufacturer and does not obscure the driver’s view;

■ Full licence holders can make or receive calls via Bluetooth so long as they do not physically have to touch their phone, such as if it is in their pocket;

■ Drivers can only handle and use their mobile phone to access their Digital Driver Licence after being requested to do so by a police officer — it’s illegal to touch your phone before a police officer instructs you to do so;

■ Ride share drivers can use a mobile phone as a dispatch system as long as it is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and doesn’t obscure their view of the road.

■ Mobile phone detection cameras are here to stay. The government said it would progressively expand the enforcement scheme to 135 million vehicle checks a year by 2023.