Mobile phone detection camera fines six-month update

Officer in Charge of SAPOL’s Traffic Services Branch, Superintendent Shane Johnson said mobile phone detection cameras have sent a clear message to drivers that those caught using a mobile phone illegally will be fined.

“The large reduction in offending is a positive result for road safety in South Australia,” Superintendent Johnson said.

Mobile Phone Detection Cameras were introduced in June 2024. In their first three months of operation, there were 64,454 warning letters sent to registered owners as a part of an expiation grace period.

“On 19 September 2024, police commenced enforcement and issued 28,120 expiations in the first three months,” Superintendent Johnson said.

“In the first six months to 18 March, a total of 46,476 expiations were sent to registered owners.

“The downward trend shows that mobile phone detection cameras have made drivers stop and think about their mobile phone use.”

Despite declining offences, police investigations into repeat offenders are underway.

“The number of repeat offenders has been disappointing, and police continue to investigate these offences. These drivers face a loss of licence and significant fines,” said Superintendent Johnson.

Minister for Police Stephen Mullighan MP said:

“These figures show the success of the mobile phone detection cameras is driving down mobile phone use behind the wheel at these key locations.

However it's clear that there rate of use is still far too high and we have more work to do getting the message through to drivers to leave their phones alone while driving.

If you’re looking at your mobile phone, you’re essentially driving blind, and you’ll face the full force of the law.”

Across the mobile phone detection camera sites, six-month expiation data shows:

• 12,645 were detected at North South Motorway, Regency Park,
• 11,828 at South Road, Torrensville,
• 9,482 at Southern Expressway, Darlington,
• 8,470 at Port Road, Hindmarsh and
• 4,051 at Port Wakefield Road, Gepps Cross.

Repeat mobile phone offences numbers attributed to a single registered owner caught between September 19, 2024, and 18 March, 2025 were:

• 308 were issued with 4 expiation notices
• 119 were issued with 5 expiation notices
• 70 were issued with 6 expiation notices
• 44 were issued with 7 expiation notices
• 22 were issued with 8 expiation notices
• 14 were issued with 9 expiation notices
• 11 were issued with 10 expiation notices
• 3 were issued with 11 expiation notices
• 5 were issued with 12 expiation notices
• 3 were issued with 13 expiation notices
• 1 was issued with 14 expiation notices
• 3 were issued with 15 expiation notices
• 1 was issued with 16 expiation notices
• 1 was issued with 19 expiation notices
• 2 were issued with 20 expiation notices
• 1 was issued with 22 expiation notices
• 1 was issued with 25 expiation notices
• 1 was issued with 28 expiation notices
• 1 was issued with 41 expiation notices

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.

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.

Two additional camera locations are currently being considered and expected to be installed in early 2025.

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.

Visit Think! Road Safety for further information about mobile phone detection cameras.

Visit My Licence - Mobile Phones While Driving for detail on mobile phone use rules.