The Acusensus Heads-Up fixed site systems in South Australia has detected 30,754 motorists illegally using their mobile phones while driving in the one month after the Mobile Phone Detection Programme there became operational in June.

The programme is currently in a three-month educational period, during this time warning letters are sent out, with full enforcement commencing on 18 September 2024. This period has been put in place to give drivers an opportunity to alter their behaviours and stop using their mobile phones while driving before receiving any penalties. 

The “Heads Up” equipment uses specially equipped cameras with technology to see through the windscreen and into the vehicle, identifying cases where people are using their phones or not wearing a seatbelt as they drive past.

The solutions have identified a small number of very high risk drivers with 836 motorists being repeat offenders, with three drivers detected on 19 separate occasions, one on 16 and four on 15. Addressing the behaviours of these drivers will result in significant crash risk reduction.

The prevalence of distracted driving is acknowledged by Traffic Services Branch Superintendent Darren Fielke who said: “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 about the Mobile Phone Detection Programme in South Australia. 

This programme and educational period represent a crucial first step towards enhancing road safety in South Australia. Evidence from similar initiatives in New South Wales and Queensland shows that behaviour change happens quickly, leading to safer roads.

(Picture – Acusensus)