You might think a quick glance at your phone in traffic, or a short trip without a belt, is low risk. Across Australia, that habit is now far more likely to be caught, as new high‑tech road safety cameras roll out to target mobile phone use, seatbelts and speeding. These systems are automated roadside units with high‑resolution cameras and software that detect offences without police pulling anyone over. In practice, they photograph passing vehicles and use image analysis to flag drivers using phones, not wearing belts, or travelling too fast for further review.
How the cameras work
The new setups combine traditional speed detection with overhead cameras angled into the front seats. Many use infrared lighting so they can see clearly through windscreens day or night, even if your car has tint. Software pre‑screens thousands of images per hour and then trained staff review any suspected offences before fines are issued.
Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR, software that reads licence plates) links a detected offence to the vehicle’s registration details. Some cameras are permanently mounted over multi‑lane roads, others are portable units that can be moved to different locations without much notice. Depending on local rules, they may be signposted, but in many cases they are designed so you can’t easily tell which gantry is checking what.
What they look for
The priority targets are behaviours that repeatedly show up in serious crash data: distraction, speed and not wearing restraints. Research from road authorities consistently points to these as key factors in fatalities and life‑changing injuries.
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Using a handheld mobile: phone in your hand or resting on your lap, even at lights
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Driver or front passenger without a seatbelt, or with it worn incorrectly
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Speeding above the posted limit, including relatively small margins
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In some locations, average speed over longer distances, not just at one point
For mobile phone checks, the camera looks down through the windscreen to see your hands and lap area. A phone anywhere in your hand usually counts as an offence, whether you’re scrolling, making a call or changing music. For seatbelts, the software looks for the diagonal strap across the chest; tucking it under your arm or sitting on the belt can be treated as “not wearing it”.
Fines, points and costs
Exact penalties vary by state and territory, but expect several hundred dollars and multiple demerit points for mobile phone or seatbelt offences. Speed fines also scale up quickly with how far over the limit you are, and a single image can record more than one offence at once.
Even one serious infringement can push your insurance premium up at renewal, in some cases by 10–20%. If you lose your licence, you also face the cost of public transport, rideshare or relying on friends and family for months, which adds up fast if you commute by car every day.
Driving habits to rethink
Because the cameras operate in all conditions and across multiple lanes, short‑cut behaviours that once felt “safe enough” are now a genuine gamble. That includes glancing at a phone balanced on your knee, driving a few kilometres per hour over the limit on a downhill stretch, or not bothering with a belt on a quick detour.
A simple phone cradle mounted legally (not blocking your view) and Bluetooth or wired connectivity removes most excuses for holding the device. Many newer cars also offer ADAS (advanced driver‑assistance systems, like adaptive cruise and lane keeping) which can help you maintain a steady speed, but you still need to watch for changing limits and roadworks where cameras are common.
On speed, remember that even 5–10 km/h extra can add a full car length or more to your stopping distance in an emergency. Allow more time for regular trips, especially at peak hours, so you are not relying on “making it up” with faster driving between traffic lights or on rural stretches.
As these cameras become more widespread, the safest and cheapest strategy is to assume you are being watched and drive accordingly. Build habits now—phone out of your hands, belt always on, speeds under the limit—and the new technology becomes something you barely have to think about.