Drivers warned over dangerous road act attracting $658 fine: 'Flirting with death'

Thousands of fines were issued in the first week new roadside cameras were switched on in one major Aussie city, and authorities are reminding drivers every time they commit one common offence they are indeed "flirting with death".

Following a three-month grace period where drivers were given a warning rather than a fine, the five mobile phone detection cameras around Adelaide were switched on for good on September 19 and drivers clocked up 2,544 fines in the first week.

Drivers caught using their phone behind the wheel copped a $556 fine plus a $102 Victims of Crime levy — totalling $658 — and three demerit points for good measure. Some of those drivers were even caught with their phones in multiple locations, with at least three expected to lose their licence.

"The fact certain drivers were caught multiple times across several of the camera locations is unbelievable," South Australia Police (SAPOL) Traffic Services Branch Officer in Charge, Superintendent Darren Fielke, said. "It defies all reason some drivers are still putting their lives and others at risk by using their phones when behind the wheel."

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Drivers risk 'ultimate price' while using phone behind wheel

Distractions, such as using a mobile phone behind the wheel, have contributed to a vast number of the 2,101 casualty collisions on South Australian roads, with 23 lives lost and 221 people seriously injured.

The new mobile phone detection cameras have been introduced in the hope of lowering these numbers, with 13 lanes across the five locations monitored.

SAPOL is considering two other camera locations and these are expected to be installed next year.

"Our continued message to drivers is simple — leave your phone alone while driving, or you might pay the ultimate price," Fielke said.

Aussie states rolling out road safety cameras

South Australia follows the likes of the ACT, which began fining drivers for mobile phone use in February. Other states including NSW, Queensland and Victoria have also introduced dual-capability technology.

New changes were made to mobile phone detection cameras in NSW from July 1 which allows cameras to detect both seatbelt and phone offences. The state joins Queensland which last year reportedly became the first jurisdiction in the world to roll out the dual capability software.

Meanwhile, Victoria rolled out dual mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras last year after a two-year trial. A staggering 52,000 drivers and passengers have been caught out in the past 10 months, it was revealed in May.

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