Five priority locations across Adelaide have been identified following a successful trial of the technology in early 2023. These include:
- Southern Expressway, Darlington
- South Road, Torrensville
- North South Motorway, Regency Park
- Port Road, Hindmarsh
- Port Wakefield Road, Gepps Cross.
The enforcement cameras, which work by using artificial intelligence software to identify drivers on their mobile phones using high quality images taken from multiples angles through the driver’s windscreen, will be operational by June 2024.
Drivers will be given a three-month educational period given from June to September with no fines or loss of demerit points issued. Following this, SA Police will issue fines which are currently $540 and three demerit points for drivers caught using their phone illegally while driving.
SAPOL Assistant Commissioner State Operations Service Ian Parrot said mobile phone use was becoming increasingly common while driving.
“Over the past five years, distraction has played a significant part in causing crashes that resulted in 1,285 serious injuries and 198 lives lost in South Australia,” Assistant Commissioner Parrot said.
“Between 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022, 33,982 expiations were issued by SA Police members to drivers/riders for using a mobile phone whilst driving, but we know this issue is more widespread."
Assistant Commissioner Parrot said this technology would ultimately contribute to changing driver behaviour.
