Phone detection cameras have caught thousands of people breaking the law in a trial of the technology on South Australian roads.
In less than two months of the testing phase, 7 million motorists drove through the cameras, with 71,044 drivers detected using their mobile.
One driver was snapped steering the car with their pinky finger while another was photographed with their dog on their lap and their phone in the other hand.
Outside of the trial, the breaches would have generated more than $45 million in fines.
Despite the large number of people caught, police said the cameras were not even switched on the entire time during testing.
Police Superintendent Darren Fielke said distraction accounts for 20-30 per cent of serious injuries and fatalities on the state’s roads.
“They’re here to make people think about what they’re doing while they’re driving,” he said.
Cameras are now in action at five high-risk locations, including Port Wakefield Road, the North-South Motorway, Port Road, South Road and the Southern Expressway.
“We’ll have, at the end of the three-month grace period, a lot more accurate figures,” Fielke said.
“But just those numbers alone show the message needs to get through to people to not use their phones.”
Signs will be installed in coming months, warning drivers that they are approaching the cameras.
Fines worth $640 plus three demerit points will begin from September 19.
Until then, those caught during the three month grace period will receive a warning letter from police.