South Australia’s mobile phone detection cameras haven’t yet been online for a year, but one recidivist motorist has already tallied up a whopping 41 offences.
The cameras were first introduced in June 2024, with a three-month grace period preceding the beginning of enforcement from September 19.
Between that date and March 18, 2025, a total of 46,476 infringement notices were sent to registered vehicle owners.
The vast majority of owners have been responsible for a single offence, however a few slow learners have racked up several fines over the initial six-month enforcement period.
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That includes one motorists receiving 41 infringement notices, or roughly one every four days. Five other motorists have received more than 20 infringement notices, while 611 drivers copped four or more.
However, South Australia Police has seen a downward trend in mobile phone offences since the introduction of the cameras.
More warning letters were sent during the three-month grace period than offences recorded throughout the first six months of enforcement. There was also a decrease in infringements over the first six months of enforcement.
It’s worth noting that this may not be linked to changed behaviour, rather awareness of where the fixed cameras are, with navigation applications such as Waze warning drivers when they are approaching one.
Across the five mobile phone detection camera locations in metropolitan Adelaide, the North South Motorway site in Regency Park saw the most offences (12,645).
South Road in Torrensville was also a hotspot, with 11,828 offences recorded across the first six months of enforcement.
The penalty for using a mobile phone while behind the wheel in South Australia currently sits at $556 plus a $102 Victims of Crime Levy and three demerit points.
“The large reduction in offending is a positive result for road safety in South Australia,” said the officer in charge of SAPOL’s traffic services branch, Superintendent Shane Johnson.
“The downward trend shows that mobile phone detection cameras have made drivers stop and think about their mobile phone use.
“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.”
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