Grace period ends for phone detection cameras
Drivers 18-years-old and over photographed using their mobile phone will now be fined $556, plus a $102 Victims of Crime Levy. They’ll also receive three demerit points.
Drivers under 18 will pay a reduced $20 Victims of Crime Levy on top of the $556 fine and three demerit points.
The fines came into effect on 19 September after a three-month grace period.
As reported in sa move in March, mobile phone detection cameras were installed earlier this year in five locations.
- South Road, Torrensville
- Southern Expressway, Darlington
- Port Road, Hindmarsh
- North South Motorway, Regency Park
- Port Wakefield Road, Gepps Cross
During the grace period, offenders were sent warning notices but not fined.
Alarmingly, 68,252 warning notices have been sent to motorists since the cameras commenced operation in June. Hundreds of offenders were caught multiple times, with one vehicle owner receiving 33 notices.
SAPOL’s Traffic Services Branch Officer-in-Charge, Superintendent Darren Fielke, says the locations of the new mobile phone detection cameras are no secret.
“We have gone through a long process of educating drivers about the cameras, where they are operating and have provided a grace period – there is no excuse for being caught,” Superintendent Fielke says.
The fine
The cost for using a mobile phone while driving.
Below is a breakdown of offences per camera.
- Regency Park 19,649
- Torrensville 15,645
- Gepps Cross 14,107
- Hindmarsh 12,415
- Darlington 6436
RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says that distraction is a major cause of road crashes.
“Mobile phones and their functions are prime culprits and should be avoided while you’re driving,” Charles says.
“It’s good practice to put your phone in a place where you won’t be tempted to look at it or respond to text messages or social media while you’re driving or waiting in traffic.”
The rules
It’s illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone when you’re driving, whether or not your vehicle is moving or stationary in traffic.
It’s also illegal to have your phone in your lap while driving or stationary in traffic.
A phone can be used to make or receive audio calls through Bluetooth or if it’s secured in a commercially designed and manufactured mounting attached to the vehicle.
It’s okay to use a hand-held phone if your vehicle is legally parked.
You can pay for goods and services by phone, or show identification, like a digital driver’s licence, while the vehicle is stationary in a road-related area, like a drive-through food outlet or car park.
It’s illegal for leaners and P1 drivers to use any function of a phone while driving, including hands-free, Bluetooth, loudspeaker operation and GPS.
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