Attention, Aussie drivers! Avoid a $556 fine with this little-known road rule

It's time to put down those mobile phones and focus on the road.

South Australia is rolling out new enforcement that could hit your wallet hard if you're caught distracted.

The state is cracking down on a little-known road rule, and ignorance won't save you from a hefty $556 fine and the loss of three demerit points.



South Australia has recently implemented mobile phone detection cameras as part of a significant $16 million safety initiative aimed at reducing road fatalities.

These high-tech eyes have been trialling throughout 2024, and the results are in: too many drivers are still reaching for their phones while behind the wheel.


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Doing this common act may cost you a $556 fine. Credit: Shutterstock


During the initial trials, an alarming number of drivers were caught in the act. In just two months, 71,044 drivers were spotted using their phones, and a subsequent trial in July nabbed another 31,000.

These figures are more than just statistics; they represent a widespread issue of distraction that could lead to serious accidents, injuries, or even fatalities.

The grace period provided by the authorities, which allowed drivers to adjust to the new surveillance without financial penalty, will end on Tuesday, 19 September.

From this date forward, the consequences of using a mobile phone while driving have become a reality, with fines and demerit points actively being enforced.



Superintendent Darren Fielke from the Traffic Services Branch expressed disappointment at the trial results.

'The cameras recorded at least one distracted motorist driving with their mobile phone less than every two minutes—this shows the extent of the issue relating to distraction we have on our roads,' Superintendent Fielke said.

‘We are giving South Australian drivers ample opportunity to change their driver behaviour and stop using a mobile phone while they are driving through this grace period.



'Distraction, including mobile phone use, is a significant contributor to crashes of all types on our roads.’

'Drivers who are not getting the message need to change their driving behaviour very quickly, or they’ll lose their licence, which in some cases could be their livelihood, or worst of all kill themselves or another innocent road user,’ he added.

Key Takeaways

  • South Australia is implementing a crackdown on drivers using mobile phones with fines of $556 and the loss of three demerit points.
  • Mobile phone detection cameras are being utilised to spot offenders as part of a $16 million road safety initiative.
  • A three-month grace period was in place, which gave drivers the opportunity to adapt their behaviour, but fines will ensue from 19 September.
  • The trials with the new cameras have shown a high rate of offenses, with one motorist caught every two minutes during busy periods, indicating a serious issue with distraction on roads.

Have you found hands-free technology helpful, or do you have tips for other drivers on how to avoid the temptation of using your phone while driving? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!
 

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Hardly a little known rule. It has been around for years now but people just choose to ignore it.

My phone is never within reach of my hands when I'm driving. It is turned off & placed in a zippered pocket in my handbag on the backseat of my car. No call is that important that I want to take it when I am driving or even shopping. I don't want everyone in the supermarket or other shopping area hearing my private phone conversations & I don't want to hear theirs.
Mine too elaine41, can’t concentrate on driving & worry about my phone at the same time. If I was expecting an urgent call I could hook it up through bluetooth which my husband uses but I’ve never had reason to. I return calls when I’m parked.
 
I use my phone for my GPS, as the one installed in my car is outdated (2007) and I can’t afford the $300+ that Toyota wants to charge me to update it. I believe my model is one of the earliest cars to have Bluetooth installed. Probably earlier in fancier cars! It also serves as my music/podcast player. In saying that, it sits in a cradle attached to my windscreen so it doesn’t obstruct my view and I set it up before I go anywhere. I have no need to touch it. I can answer calls through the Bluetooth in my car via the steering wheel or automatically after so many rings, which I’ve setup to do. Messages are not even remotely looked at until I get to my destination. If it’s important, they will call. If I didn’t know how to set it up myself, places like Autobahn and supercheap, etc can help you! I can be addicted to my phone, yes but not when I’m driving. With the Bluetooth technology being out for so long, it’s pretty much standard in cars nowadays. There’s no excuse. Emails, texts, social media, etc can wait. Yours and most importantly, other innocent people’s lives are what’s most important.
I think we must be one of the only couple in S.A. that doesn't have a GPS, we use an old fashioned road map book lol
 
And so it should be. The fine for the first occassion should be $1500 no if's or but's plus 6 demerit points.
Further occassions should be fined up to $2500 per event plus 10 points or manditory loss of licence for six months. For hoon caught in the act automatic confiscation of vehicle and if offence has caused injury or damage the vehicle confiscated and crushed. Speeds in excess of 50 Kmph over the signed speed limit - confiscation and crushed. Not being a crinch but if the offender has this in the back of their mind when driving then it may deter events and in some circumstance death of another party or passengers in the vehicle. Same goes for drunk driving WELL over the legal limit.
I'm not sure about crushing the cars, although that would be very satisfying, but I think they should be donated to people in need of a vehicle, or a charity to use or raffle off maybe!
 
Off topic but:

I had been dying to get picked up by a boose bus, so this day I took a swig of my water which made it look like i'd been drinking. Sure enough I got pulled over, the lovely police officer asked me when I had my last drink, and this is why I wanted to get pulled over. I told him the truth, I said it was the 1st of January around 1am in 2003. He looked gobsmacked but gave me the test anyway which was as expected, zero content.
I'm a recovered alcoholic, which i'm actually proud to say, I just gave up and never looked back, my partner also gave up a few years later, neither of us touch booze anymore, it's tea for us and plain water for me!

Another little known fact is that eating a hot cross bun can put you over the limit so watch yourself at Easter time, or should I say after Christmas when they first come out lol..
 
Phone Mobile usage whilst driving. How can anyone in their right mind even consider using a mobile phone whilst driving. Absolute insanity. Hands free, using Bluetooth maybe, but not actually using the mobile to call people or answering a call or texting. Very selfish attitude and innocent people are being killed on the roads, due to certain people who could not care less for other road users.
 
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Phone Mobile usage whilst driving. How can anyone in their right mind even consider using a mobile phone whilst driving. Absolute insanity. Hands free, using Bluetooth maybe, but not actually using the mobile to call people or answering a call or texting. Very selfish attitude and innocent people are being killed on the roads, due to certain people who could not care less for other road users.
Even talking on the phone.
 

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