Frequently asked questions

The new cameras are operating, with a three-month grace and education period from 19 June 2024 to 18 September 2024.

During the grace and education period, drivers will not be fined or lose demerit points. However, vehicle owners will receive a warning letter to let them know that the driver was detected using their mobile phone illegally.

The grace and education period:

• only applies to mobile phone offences detected via camera
• does not apply to offences detected at the roadside.

After the grace period ends, camera enforcement will begin on 19 September 2024. From this date, vehicle owners will receive an expiation notice and three demerit points, similarly to other camera-detected offences.

Mobile phone detection cameras are installed at high-risk metropolitan sites. The site selection considers road safety research and data, including:

• crashes resulting in lives lost and serious injuries
• traffic volumes
• traffic intelligence
• available infrastructure.

Following a successful trial of the technology in 2023, mobile phone detection cameras are installed at five priority locations across Adelaide, including:

• Southern Expressway, Darlington
• South Road, Torrensville
• North South Motorway, Regency Park
• Port Road, Hindmarsh
• Port Wakefield Road, Gepps Cross.

The enforcement cameras are installed on existing digital variable message signage.

Two other locations within the Adelaide metropolitan area are being investigated for installation. Installation is expected in 2025.

The State Government’s selection of camera locations is based on research by the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research. The selection of locations considers crash trends and targets busy road corridors across different areas of Adelaide.

In 2021, the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) did a study of driver behaviour on moving traffic in four South Australian locations. The study found that 2.5% of drivers observed were using mobile phones illegally.

An online survey of 401 South Australians also found 38% reported using some function on their mobile phone while driving. Most respondents strongly agreed that it was dangerous to do so.

South Australia Police (SAPOL) issued 30,354 expiation notices for mobile phone offences over four years. This equates to around 7,600 offences per year.

CASR's research found that people are more likely to use mobile phones in their cars as:

• smartphone ownership and use increase
• smartphone capabilities and functionalities expand.

This means that, without new interventions, their use in vehicles and resultant crashes are likely to increase. This was a motivating factor for introducing mobile phone detection cameras.

Implementing mobile phone detection cameras complements on-road police law enforcement activities.

The penalties that apply (expiation fees and demerit points) for offences are important to:

• motivate road users to abide by traffic laws
• avoid creating an unacceptable risk to themselves and others.

Together with penalties from detections, the cameras provide a visible deterrent and increase the perception that drivers will be caught if they illegally use a mobile phone.

Transport for NSW reports that since the start of its Mobile Phone Detection Camera Program on 1 March 2020, it has succeeded in reducing illegal mobile phone use on New South Wales roads.

Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) did independent modelling to predict the potential effectiveness of the automated mobile phone enforcement camera program in New South Wales. MUARC predicted an annual reduction of 19 serious injury collisions. Refer to page 9 of Submission to Inquiry into the Increase in Victoria's Road Toll during 2019.

Mobile phone detection cameras already operate in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. These cameras use video and still images to monitor vehicles travelling on the road beneath the camera and capture images through the vehicle windscreen.

The experience for the road user will be similar to the current speed and red-light camera detected offences.

1. A computer artificial intelligence processes the images. It identifies drivers who use their mobile phone illegally.
2. A trained adjudication officer in SAPOL validates the video and images that are positively identified by the artificial intelligence.
3. SAPOL uses relevant information, such as registration details, to issue an expiation notice to the registered vehicle owner.

Offences the cameras enforce

Mobile phone detection cameras will only detect illegal use of a mobile phone while driving. This is in accordance with Australia Road Rule 300, which prohibits use of a mobile phone while your vehicle is moving or in traffic.

Visit MyLicence to read about the rules for using a mobile phone with driving, including recent changes.

Accuracy of the technology

The Mobile Phone Detection Camera vendor is contractually obliged to prove successful equipment accreditation at all times. If needed, they are also required to provide such evidence in court.

Interstate experience has shown consistent levels of accuracy in detecting mobile phone incidents. Furthermore, there is human intervention. An adjudicator reviews all images from detected incidents. An expiation notice is only issued following this adjudication process.

Effective 1 July 2024:

• the expiation fee is $556; plus
• $102 Victims of Crime Levy; plus
• three demerit points.

Enforcing the offence for using a mobile phone while driving is not new. SAPOL issued 30,354 expiation notices for mobile phone offences over four years. This equates to around 7,600 offences per year.

How money paid through fines are spent

Mobile phone detection cameras are life-saving technology.

Money paid for fines issued for illegally using a mobile phone while driving will be invested into the Community Road Safety Fund. The fund delivers crucial road safety initiatives across the state to reduce loss of life and serious injuries on South Australian roads, including safety improvements, education programs and public campaigns.

How your image is stored

Privacy is protected in the same way that images and registration information obtained by SAPOL from speed and red-light cameras are treated.

This is in accordance with:

• the Information Privacy Principles in the Short Guide to the Information Privacy Principles on the State Records website
• the South Australian Public Sector Code of Ethics.

How the data collected is used to issue an expiation notice

When a driver is detected using a mobile phone illegally while driving, an expiation notice is issued to the registered owner of the vehicle.

This person (or organisation) is liable for the offence, unless they nominate another driver as the one who committed the offence. This is similar to other camera-detected offences.

Viewing your image

You can view a photograph on SAPOL's Expiations page. This is similar to existing processes for red-light and speeding offences.

To learn about options for dealing with the expiation notice, refer to the notice.