SA Police chase $6m in unpaid phone cam fines as FoI reveals how many court challenges succeed

Hundreds of SA drivers have challenged their mobile phone detection camera fines in court, new data reveals, along with the eye-watering figure in unpaid debts.

Hundreds of drivers have contested fines after allegedly being caught on camera using their mobile phones while behind the wheel over the past eight months.

New Freedom of Information data shows 470 fines were challenged in court, with 63 subsequently withdrawn by SA Police and 14 expiations upheld.

Other outcomes are pending but none of the fine challenges so far have resulted in a “not guilty” finding.

Authorities have also been forced to chase more than $6m in unpaid fines issued to motorists who failed to their fines.

The data shows 9225 expiation notices, issued as a result of drivers being nabbed by mobile phone detection cameras between September 2024 and April 2025, remained outstanding as at May 15 this year.

Those notices have been passed on to the state government’s Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit for further action.

If attempts by the FERU are unable to recoup the money, it can collect cash from salaries or bank accounts, without permission of the account holder, or impose penalties such as driver’s licence suspensions.

Mobile phone detection cameras across Adelaide have caught more than 46,000 using their mobile phones in the first six months. Picture: SA Police

The figures also show that 18,117 reminder notices have been issued to drivers fined during the seven-month period but who neglected to take action by the payment deadline.

A further 9457 fines remained unpaid but were yet to reach their due date.

A total of 28,839 fines were paid on time.

The Advertiser in August last year reported that SA Police was hiring extra prosecutors in anticipation of drivers challenging their mobile phone camera fines in court.

Drivers detected by mobile phone cameras face fines of $556 plus a $104 Victims of Crime Levy, as well as three demerit points.

In April this year, the newspaper reported that more than $30 million in fines and levies had been issued to drivers in the first six months since mobile phone detection cameras were introduced.

Figures released by SA Police showed 46,476 fines had been handed out during this period.

The State Government last week announced, as part of its 2025/26 State Budget, that 15 more cameras would be installed across SA.

Cameras are already located on South Rd, Torrensville; the North South Motorway, Regency Park; Port Wakefield Rd, Gepps Cross; the Southern Expressway, Darlington; and Port Rd, Hindmarsh.

An SA Police spokeswoman said drivers who received a fine had various options, including electing to be prosecuted.

She said if a fine wasn’t paid within 28 days of issue, a $73 reminder fee was added and a reminder letter sent.

“If after a further 14 days the notice is not expiated, the notice is allocated to Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit (FERU) for enforcement.”

The spokeswoman said while the number of detections had decreased, too many people were still tempted to use their phones illegally while driving.

“Our message to drivers is simple; leave your phone alone while driving,” she said.

Originally published as SA Police chase $6m in unpaid phone cam fines as FoI reveals how many court challenges succeed