Can you use your phone’s GPS while driving? What if you need to pay for your burger and fries at the drive-thru? Take our quiz to see how well you know SA’s mobile phone driving laws.
The South Australian Police (SAPOL) aren’t messing around: their new mobile phone detection cameras are out in force around Adelaide. The three-month warning period is over, so drivers caught on camera using a mobile phone should expect to cop a fine.
Caught in the act? Here’s what it’ll cost you
- For drivers 18 and over: $556 fine + $102 Victims of Crime levy + 3 demerit points
- For drivers under 18: $556 fine + $20 Victims of Crime levy + 3 demerit points
Imagine what else you could do with that cash: Concert tickets, a weekend getaway or that Prada bag in your Depop likes!
You’ve been warned: SAPOL is watching
They’ve installed mobile phone detection cameras at five key spots around Adelaide. During the grace period, over 68,000 warning notices were issued. One registered vehicle owner even racked up 33 separate warnings! Now the grace period’s over and being the next statistic won’t come cheap.
Before you grumble about the price of driving dangerously, you should know the State Government won’t be profiting off your bad behaviour. All the money from speed cameras and mobile phone detection cameras goes back into the Community Road Safety Fund.
It’s used to fund safety initiatives like extra policing, fixing black spots, teaching people about safe driving and even putting bike safety lessons in schools.
But it’s not just about the money…
Yeah, the fines are hefty, but the real cost could be much higher. Using your phone while driving makes you at least four times more likely to crash. Here’s what can happen:
- Slow Reaction Time: You’re slower to brake or react to hazards.
- Missed Signals: You might blow through stop signs or red lights.
- Poor Braking: Your braking becomes less controlled.
- Lane Drift: You could swerve into another lane without realising.
And texting? Even worse. Your eyes leave the road for up to four times longer than usual. That split-second glance could change (or end) lives forever.
The deadly stats
Even the best drivers get distracted when using a phone. Mobiles demand your attention and take your mind off the road. When your mind isn’t on the road, someone could die.
Over the past five years, ‘distraction’ has played a significant part in causing crashes that resulted in 1,715 serious injuries and 199 lives lost in South Australia.
Distraction has been a suspected cause in 1631 casualty collisions so far in 2024, with 21 lives lost and 215 serious injuries being attributed to distraction.
Busy roads ahead, so stay alert
Until 13 October, kids are out enjoying their school holidays, and families are travelling. The long weekend from 5-7 October will add even more traffic. More people on the road means more chances for crashes. That means it’s time for all of us to crank up our vigilance when we’re behind the wheel.
Know the rules before you roll
So, when can you use your phone while driving? Here’s the three rules to remember:
- If you need to touch your phone to make or receive a call (like dialling a number), your phone must be mounted in a commercially designed holder.
- If you’re using Bluetooth, a headset or earphones, you mustn’t touch, hold or rest the phone on any part of your body (including your lap). The phone can be located anywhere else in the car – even in your pocket. And you’re allowed to touch the earpiece or headphones to operate the phone.
- It’s illegal to create, send or look at texts, video messages or emails on your mobile phone while driving.
Learner or P1 driver? The phone ban’s total
If you’re on your Ls or P1s, you can’t use your phone at all whilst driving – not even hands-free. Zero exceptions.
Play it safe
Let’s face it: Even hands-free calls can be distracting. If you need to take an important call or send a tricky message, find a safe spot to pull over. No text or call is worth risking your life – or someone else’s.
To encourage drivers to pull over for calls, the new laws don’t affect drivers’ freedom in any way to hold their phone, make or receive calls, or use any other phone function when their car is parked safely and legally at the side of the road.
You can also use your phone to pay while you’re parked in a car or at a drive-thru. Just use your Apple Wallet or Google Pay. You can also show your digital driver’s licence on your phone if you need to.
Find out more about mobile phone use while driving and the legislation here.
QUIZ TIME: Hang up or pay up – Are you in the know?
