Mobile phone detection camera three-month expiation update

A three-month South Australia Police (SAPOL) mobile phone detection camera expiation report shows mobile phone distraction offences are on the decline, but multiple offenders have lost their licences.
Officer in Charge of SAPOL’s Traffic Services Branch, Superintendent Shane Johnson said despite the alarming number of offence detections in the past six months, the decline in overall offending is thanks to South Australia’s most effective technology-led policing capability launched this year.
“In the past three months, South Australia’s five mobile phone detection camera sites screened more than 14million vehicles, with 28,120 expiations being issued,” said Superintendent Johnson.
“Clearly the education phase where warning notices were issued in place of expiations worked.”
In comparison with the first three months of operation (July-September), 68,252 warning notices were issued to offending drivers as a part of the introductory expiation grace period. This results in a difference of 40,132 less distraction offences detected than in the first quarter.
“The data indicates that while most drivers do the right thing, we still have too many willing to take a risk by being distracted by their phone - they need to wake up to the consequences.
“Disappointingly, more than 200 drivers were issued with multiple expiation notices, including one driver who was issued with 41 expiation notices and two drivers who were issued with 22 and 23 expiation notices.
“Whilst expiation penalties are a significant deterrent, driving distracted also poses a much more serious consequence - the risk to your and others’ safety.”
Being distracted by a mobile for two seconds at 60 kilometres an hour means a driver travels 33 metres without their eyes on the road. A driver distracted for two seconds at 100 kilometres an hour means they will travel 55 metres without their eyes on the road.
“We are hoping that the message is clear now- illegal mobile phone use like handling a mobile phone that is not in a dock, whether that be having your phone resting on your leg, arm or driver seat will result in serious penalties,” Superintendent Johnson said.
The three-month expiation data shows:
7657 were detected at North South Motorway, Regency Park,
6839 at South Road, Torrensville,
5847 at Southern Expressway, Darlington,
5325 at Port Road, Hindmarsh and
2452 at Port Wakefield Road, Gepps Cross.
Mobile phone detection cameras were introduced to five high-risk sites across metropolitan Adelaide in June 2024 accompanied by a three-month expiation grace period and a state-wide campaign that warned drivers about the new detection capability.
All five locations have warning signs installed. Two additional camera locations are currently being considered and expected to be installed in early 2025.
SA Police began issuing a penalty of $556 plus a $102 Victims of Crime Levy and three demerit points from offences detected by mobile phone detection cameras from 19 September 2024.
Distraction has played a part in more than 30 lives lost and more than 75 serious injuries on South Australian roads this year.
Visit www.thinkroads... for further information about mobile phone detection cameras.
Visit www.mylicence.... for detail on mobile phone use rules.