In South Australia, over 47,000 drivers have been issued fines exceeding $30 million in just six months for using mobile phones while driving, following the installation of high-tech detection cameras at five locations in Adelaide. The newly released data underscores the alarming frequency of mobile phone usage among motorists.
Police Minister Stephen Mullighan labelled the smartphone use by drivers as “unacceptably high”, noting that the cameras have effectively identified numerous offenders. He likened the action of looking at a phone while driving to “driving blindfolded”. The most significant number of violations was recorded on the North-South Motorway at Regency Park, with nearly 13,000 offences. Other notable hotspots include South Road at Torrensville and the Southern Expressway, while Port Wakefield Road at Gepps Cross reported the least number of infractions.
Despite the troubling statistics, there is a slight decline in the frequency of offences, suggesting that some drivers might be becoming more aware of the dangers posed by distractions. Superintendent Shane Johnson from SA Police highlighted this trend as a positive development. However, the persistence of certain offenders is concerning, with over 600 individuals caught using their phones multiple times; one driver astonishingly accumulated 41 fines, prompting an ongoing investigation into their behaviour.
Looking ahead, authorities plan to deploy two additional cameras before the year ends, although their locations have yet to be disclosed. The continuing enforcement of these measures reflects a commitment to improving road safety and reducing mobile phone-related distractions among drivers in South Australia.