South Australia’s mobile phone detection cameras have netted more than $30 million in fines in just six months, revealing a staggering level of distracted driving despite a prior grace period.

Since the cameras were officially activated on September 19, 2024, police have issued 46,476 fines to motorists caught using their phones behind the wheel. That’s an average of 200 people a day being caught – a drop from the 350 daily detected during the initial warning phase.

During the three-month trial period following their mid-2024 introduction, the high-tech cameras sent out 64,454 warning letters. But once enforcement began, authorities wasted no time. In the first three months alone, 28,120 expiation notices were issued. The number dipped slightly in the next quarter, with just over 18,000 further infringements recorded.

Superintendent Shane Johnson said while the declining numbers were a positive sign, the prevalence of repeat offenders remained troubling. “The number of repeat offenders has been disappointing, and police continue to investigate these offences,” he said. “Some registered owners have been issued with over 20. That is absolutely a serious concern for us.”

Among the most alarming cases was one registered driver who racked up an astonishing 41 fines. In total, 308 drivers received four or more fines during the six-month period.

South Australia’s Police Minister Stephen Mullighan described the level of mobile phone use among drivers as “unacceptably high” but said the figures highlight the effectiveness of the detection technology.

Motorists caught by the cameras face a $556 penalty, a $102 Victims of Crime Levy, and three demerit points. And while South Australia is pushing ahead – with two more detection cameras soon to be deployed – authorities have yet to reveal their locations.

However, officials also cautioned that collecting the fines is another challenge altogether. In Queensland, for example, $160 million in seatbelt and mobile phone fines remains unpaid.

SA Police used the release of the new data to remind drivers just how dangerous it is to take their eyes off the road – even briefly. “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 police spokesperson said. “At 100 kilometres an hour, that distance increases to 55 metres.”

With enforcement ramping up and new cameras on the way, authorities hope the downward trend continues – and that more drivers will finally put the phone down.

Images: SA Police