The Acusensus camera technology can detect not only mobile phone and seatbelt infringements, but also scan number plates to detect unregistered and speeding vehicles.
Cameras targeting illegal phone use across NSW. Since 1 March 2020, mobile phone detection cameras, including fixed and transportable cameras, have been targeting drivers illegally using a mobile phone across NSW anywhere, anytime.
A vehicle's speed is detected using an approved speed measurement device such as a radar. If a vehicle is detected speeding, a digital image of the vehicle is recorded from which all details about the speeding vehicle can be extracted. This image is used to generate an infringement.
“Victoria's road safety camera program plays a critical role in changing driver behaviour and saving lives,” a government spokeswoman said on Friday. The mobile phone detection cameras can operate in all weather conditions, day and night.
Generally speaking if you think about it, the camera sits up above the roadway and takes a picture down towards the vehicle and through the front windscreen into the driver's seat of the car to see if there's a device in the hand of the driver, so within 20 or 30 metres would be the maximum range that it could actually ...
If you think you have been flashed by a speed camera, you have to wait 14 days for it to be confirmed or not: that's how long the police have to issue a 'notice of intended prosecution', or NIP. It is sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle – worth bearing in mind if you drive a company car.
It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone or similar device when driving, stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic. You will receive a fine of £200 and 6 penalty points if you are caught using a handheld phone while driving. Points on your licence could result in higher insurance premiums.
This tolerance deducts two km/hr from a vehicle's detected speed for fixed digital safety cameras. For mobile cameras, a tolerance of three km/hr or three per cent for speeds over 100km/hr is deducted. Police can also apply an additional tolerance at their discretion.
The penalties are 4 demerit points and a $545 fine. It's a proven fact that using a mobile phone while driving can be distracting.
Mobile cameras use radar to detect each vehicle's travel speed. If a vehicle is detected exceeding the speed limit or running a red light, the camera and flash are activated to take a photo and a fine is issued.
Average speed cameras use Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR) technology, rather than images to measure your speed. A camera will log a number plate with a time and date stamp and compare the time and date stamp with another camera further along the road.
Because mobile speed cameras work by using laser technology. This means, on a straight section of road, the typical range for a mobile speed camera is two miles - far longer than the line of sight for most locations that safety camera partnerships will patrol.
“So for example, travelling at 35mph or above in a 30mph zone will be recorded as a speeding offence. “However, Go Safe say thresholds vary and can change without notice. “Officially, any speeding offence occurs at 1mph above the limit, but most forces will allow a variance.”
Using Your Phone As A Passenger
If you are in a vehicle with a fully licensed driver, then the rules are slightly different. As a passenger, you are able to use your mobile phone as long as it is not distracting the driver. You must never encourage the driver to look away and lose concentration of their surroundings.
Average speed cameras FAQs
Average speed cameras do not flash as other fixed speed cameras do. This is because they use infra-red light to read your number plate in low light and poor weather conditions. There is no visual indication of being caught by an average speed camera.
In operation, the system constantly takes photos of traffic passing by. Each image is then processed by an AI (artificial intelligence) trained to detect mobile phone use in the car.
Can the police take your phone as evidence? Under the Evidence Act 2008, Victoria Police are allowed to seize certain items if there are reasonable grounds to believe that: An offence has occurred. The items seized constitute material evidence to prove the commission of the serious offence.
Under Australian law, a data access order may “only be made against a person who is suspected of committing an offence attracting a penalty of five years imprisonment or more, and who has the relevant knowledge necessary to gain access to the device”.
Mobile phone road rules
You can only use your mobile phone if it's secured in a cradle affixed to your car, or it can be operated without touch, and only to: Make or receive audio phone calls. Use audio functions.
“The 10 per cent rule is allowed in guidance but it is not part of legislation. “It is used as a rule of thumb for enforcement – 10 per cent over the speed limit plus 2mph. “The thinking behind this is to ensure that enforcement is proportionate.”
The 'rule' itself is quite straightforward: if the speed limit is (for example) 30mph, the rule states that you won't get a speeding ticket unless you are going 10% plus 2 mph faster than the limit.
The 10% rule
That's because the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) urges police officers to use their discretion when dealing with drivers who break the speed limit. To be more specific, they recommend only handing out speeding tickets if a driver surpasses the speed limit by 10% plus 2.
The prosecution have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that you were actually driving and using the phone. For example, a police officer will give evidence to say that he or she seen you driving whilst holding a mobile phone up to your ear.
When arresting a suspect, the police will routinely seize any mobile telephones in the suspect's possession in order to gather evidence that may indicate their involvement in criminal activity. Such evidence can be found in incriminating text messages, WhatsApp messages, call logs, images, videos, and cell site data.
Can Police Track Your Phone? The police won't track your phone without reason, but they can access your device's location history in an emergency or if they suspect criminal activity. Once they have a warrant, the police can access a phone's GPS data through a cell provider and view its current or last known location.