ACT announces mobile phone camera detection program

Mobile phone detection cameras will be installed on the ACT’s roads next year to reduce driver distraction and make the roads safer for all Canberrans.

Two fixed cameras will be located on Hindmarsh Drive and Gungahlin Drive, while three transportable cameras will be moved across various sites in Canberra to provide maximum road safety benefits. These sites include Canberra Avenue, Tuggeranong Parkway and Yamba Drive.

Mobile phone usage will be enforced ‘anywhere, anytime’.

“Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds doubles the risk of a crash, with mobile phones too often being the source of that distraction,” said Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel.

“A driver who looks at their phone for just two seconds while driving at 60 km/h travels 33 metres blind.

“In the past five financial years, ACT Policing has issued an average of 911 infringements and 260 cautions for using a mobile device when driving. The actual rate of offending is likely to be much higher. These new cameras, which will operate day and night in all weather conditions, will help ensure Canberrans understand that any time you take your eyes off the road to use your mobile phone while driving, you’re risking your own life and the lives of other road users.

“I strongly urge drivers to leave your mobile device alone when driving. Soon this technology will detect driver mobile phone use across our road network and stiff penalties could apply. Every accident that results in serious injury or death is a tragedy for our community. When it comes to mobile phones and driving, it’s time to get your hand off it,” Steel said.

The Centre for Automotive Safety Research at the University of Adelaide provided advice on optimal locations for maximum road safety benefits of fixed and transportable cameras. This included a review of ACT crash data to identify locations with a high prevalence of crashes or links to distraction.

The cameras will operate at identified locations where vulnerable road users are at high risk, mobile device use is common and enforcement using existing police resources has been difficult.

The cameras will be used to issue warning notices prior to infringement notices occurring from October 2023 and the ACT Government will undertake a comprehensive awareness campaign across TV, digital, radio and out-of-home advertising.

The ACT Government’s rollout of mobile device detection cameras is another step towards its commitment to ‘Vision Zero’ with no deaths or serious injuries on Canberra’s roads.

Acusensus Australia was selected to supply and operate the cameras following a comprehensive procurement process. The company has a proven track record of supplying this equipment, including to Queensland and New South Wales.

Images detecting a potential offence are automatically pixelated and cropped to only show a view of the driver. These are then reviewed by an artificial intelligence system before being passed to a human operator and an infringement notice decision made. A robust range of security and privacy safeguards will be put in place governing the use and disclosure of the images.

Acusensus Founder and Managing Director Alexander Jannink welcomed the ACT Government’s decision to adopt lifesaving smart camera technology to further enhance road safety.