Mobile phone cameras switched on in NSW

The NSW Government formally commenced its rollout of new mobile phone detection cameras at the weekend in a move that is expected to be mirrored by surrounding states and territories.

Starting December 1, authorities deployed 10 mobile phone cameras (a mix of fixed and transportable trailer-mounted devices at different locations) in NSW, the first of 45 such devices that will be dotted around the state in the next four years.

NSW is the first jurisdiction to introduce the cameras, produced by tech company Acusensus. It follows a six-month trial of two cameras on Sydney’s M4 motorway and Anzac Parade, in which 8.5 million vehicles were checked and 100,000 motorists caught using their phones illegally.

While surrounding states are yet to formally announce their plans around the cameras, Victorian authorities have suggested it will only be a matter of time before they follow suit.

The penalties for illegal mobile phone use are stern in NSW - five demerit points and a $344 fine, or a $457 fine if caught in a school zone. Initially, motorists caught using the new cameras will be given a three-month grace period where no fines will be issued to offenders, just warning letters.

And unlike speed cameras in NSW, there will be no warning signs to alert drivers to the presence of the mobile phone cameras.

“It saddens me with a month to go of this year that to confirm that we now have 329 people that will not be celebrating Christmas with their loved ones this year," Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said.

“It's simple, we're allowing people to use cradles, we're allowing people through their Bluetooth to be able to make a telephone call and receive a phone call, but for goodness sake; do not text and drive, do not hold the phone up to your ear, don't put the phone on your lap with the speakerphone on, get the message."

The cameras use sophisticated software to detect whether a motorist is handling their phone. The filtered images are then checked by NSW personnel before a fine is issued, with discarded images said to be deleted within an hour.

The Acusensus cameras are said to be operable in all light and weather conditions, detecting passing vehicles at speeds of up to 300km/h.

While support for the devices has been fairly unanimous, there have been calls from the NSW State Opposition and the NRMA for warning signs to be erected – as an immediate deterrent for motorists, rather than a fine in the mail three weeks later.

The NSW introduction comes as Queensland prepares to raise the penalty for illegal mobile phone use to $1000 and four demerit points from February 1, 2020 – up from $400 and three demerit points.

As of time of publishing, Victoria enforces a $496/four demerit point penalty, South Australia $554/three demerit points, Northern Territory $500/three demerit points, Western Australia $400/three demerit points, Tasmania $336/three demerit points, and the ACT $480/three demerit points (rises to $589/four demerit points for texting/internet use).

The NSW Government will enforce fines and demerit points with the cameras from March 1, 2020.

Read more: Mobile phone laws explained