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Phone detection cameras have caught thousands of people breaking the law in a trial of the technology on South Australian roads.
In less than two months of the testing phase, 7 million drivers passed the cameras, with 71,044 drivers caught using their mobile phone.
One driver was filmed steering the car with his little finger, while another was photographed with his dog on his lap and his phone in the other hand.
Outside of the process, the violations would have generated more than $45 million in fines.
Despite the large number of people caught, police said the cameras weren’t even on during the entire test.
Police Chief Darren Fielke said distraction accounts for 20-30 percent of serious injuries and fatalities on the state’s roads.
“They’re here to make people think about what they’re doing when they’re driving,” he said.
Cameras are already in place at five high-risk locations, including Port Wakefield Road, the North-South Expressway, Port Road, South Road and the Southern Expressway.
“At the end of the three-month grace period, we will have much more accurate numbers,” Fielke said.
“But these numbers alone show that the message needs to get across to people so they don’t use their phones.”
In the coming months, signs will be installed warning drivers that they are approaching the cameras.
Fines of $640 plus three demerit points will begin on September 19.
Until then, those caught in the three-month grace period will receive a warning letter from the police.
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