NSW motorists are reminded to follow the road rules when it comes to using their mobile phone and wearing a seatbelt, with changes to the state’s camera detection program in place from Sunday 1 March.
Transport for NSW says the ten transportable Mobile Phone and Seatbelt Detection Cameras operating across the state will now operate to their full capability of bi-directional coverage on single lane roads. Until now, they only checked up to two lanes of traffic travelling in one direction.
Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said there will be no new cameras operating on the network, but extending the existing units’ capability will help meet the increase in the number of registered vehicles on the roads since the program started in 2019.
‘When we switched on mobile phone detection cameras almost seven years ago, the target was to be able to check each registered vehicle in NSW an average of at least 20 times a year,’ Mr Murray said.
‘Since then, the number of registered vehicles in NSW has jumped almost 12%, from 6.7 million to 7.5 million. At the same time, the mobile phone camera program has made a significant impact in the road safety space, with seatbelt offences added in 2024.
‘One in just under every 1,300 vehicles checked by these cameras in 2025 had someone breaking seatbelt laws while around one in every 1,200 were caught using their mobile phone illegally.
‘Compared to as many as one in every 400 cars when we first started camera enforcement of mobile phone offences.’
Eliminating distraction saves lives
‘We know lives have been saved as people change their behaviours in response to awareness and education with seatbelt use and distractions through phone use featuring as key contributors to the road toll.
‘We need to ensure our program continues to check the appropriate number of vehicles, and we use our technology to its full effect,’ said Mr Murray.
‘The expansion of the transportable cameras begins in March and will take six months to roll-out. Fixed mobile phone and seatbelt cameras will not change. As is the case with all camera infringements, all fines go towards funding more road safety programs,” Mr Murray said.
Further information about the program is available here.
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