Drivers caught using their phones behind the wheel will no longer get any mercy from police in an Australian state. Until recently, police only issued warnings.
Motorists in South Australia will soon face a $556 fine and three penalty points if they are caught using their phones on mobile phone cameras.
Police will test the new cameras throughout 2024 and have warned drivers that they will face a fine after a three-month grace period.
The grace period officially ends on Tuesday, September 19.
The cameras are part of a $16 million plan to reduce road deaths in South Africa, with the first mobile phone detection devices introduced in January.
A two-month trial earlier this year caught 71,044 drivers using their phones while driving, and a second trial in July caught another 31,000 motorists.
Motorists in South Australia will soon face a $556 fine and three penalty points if caught using a mobile phone while driving (pictured)
Darren Fielke, head of the Department of Transportation Services, said the results of the trials were disappointing.
“The cameras recorded at least one distracted driver using their cell phone every two minutes, which shows how big a problem distraction is on our roads,” said Superintendent Fielke.
‘We are giving motorists in South Australia ample opportunity to change their driving behaviour and stop using their mobile phones during this grace period.
‘Distraction, including cell phone use, is a major cause of all types of road accidents.
‘Drivers who don’t get the message need to change their driving behaviour very quickly. Otherwise they will lose their driving licence, which in some cases can be their livelihood. Or worse: they will kill themselves or another innocent road user.’