From Friday 3 November 2023, motorists detected using their mobile device by the cameras will be issued a written warning. Motorists started receiving the warning notice by mail to the registered operator of the vehicle in mid-November 2023. The warning is not included on a person’s driving record.
The warning period will be used to educate the community while giving them time to change their behaviour and install hands-free technology.
During the warning period there will also be a road safety campaign which will reinforce that:
- it is illegal to use mobile devices while driving
- infringements and demerit points start in February 2024.
Please note that ACT Policing is still issuing infringements to drivers they detect illegally using their mobile phone. The warning period only applies to mobile device detection cameras.
Mobile device detection cameras
Three transportable road safety cameras were introduced on Canberra’s roads in February 2023, along with a fixed camera on Hindmarsh Drive (near the Monaro Highway overpass) in June 2023. A second fixed camera is now operating on Gungahlin Drive (near the Barton Highway overpass).
The transportable cameras have been operating on various sites across the road network. Canberrans have likely already seen them on:
- Parkes Way, Acton
- Belconnen Way, Belconnen
- Coulter Drive, Belconnen
- Haydon Drive, Belconnen
- Belconnen Way, Bruce
- Haydon Drive, Bruce
- Gundaroo Drive, Crace
- Coulter Drive, Cook
- Ginninderra Drive, Evatt
- Ginninderra Drive, Florey
- John Cleland Crescent, Florey
- Horse Park Drive, Forde
- Canberra Avenue, Fyshwick
- Athllon Drive, Greenway
- Drakeford Drive, Greenway
- Kingsford Smith Drive, Higgins
- Drakeford Drive, Isabella Plains
- Canberra Avenue, Jerrabomberra
- Baldwin Drive, Lawson
- Belconnen Way, Macquarie
- Kingsford Smith Drive, Melba
- Ginninderra Drive, Melba
- Flemington Road, Mitchell
- William Hovell Drive, Molonglo Valley
- Tuggeranong Parkway, Molonglo Valley
- Bindubi Street, Molonglo Valley
- Erindale Drive, Monash
- Hindmarsh Drive, O'Malley
- Commonwealth Avenue, Parkes
- Southern Cross Drive, Page
- Hindmarsh Drive, Phillip
- Yamba Drive, Phillip
- Adelaide Avenue, Yarralumla
The ACT Government is committed to keeping our roads safe for all Canberrans. The rollout of mobile device detection cameras is part of delivering on the ACT Government’s commitment to ‘Vision Zero’ or no deaths or serious injuries on Canberra’s roads.
Mobile device detection camera privacy impact assessment (PIA)
The ACT Government takes the management of personal information seriously and is committed to ensuring adequate security and privacy safeguards are in place to protect customer information.
As recommended by best practice, an initial privacy impact assessment (PIA) was undertaken before the procurement for a suitable mobile device detection camera system was commenced.
Once a suitable mobile device detection camera system provider was awarded a contract, a further PIA was undertaken to ensure compliance with the recommendations arising from the initial PIA and to identify further privacy safeguards. For more information see a summary of both PIAs, recommendations and actions taken with regard to the recommendations (PDF 437.8 KB).
ACT Government has undertaken due diligence prior to undertaking the reform and implementation of the MDDC system to safeguard the security and privacy of customers. The PIAs undertaken in 2020 and 2023 outline the consideration given to the management of personal information and the actions taken to ensure adequate safeguards are in place to provide the community confidence.
A copy of both PIAs can be requested through the FOI online request form and will be provided in line with the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2016. The documents will not be provided in full.
For more information see mobile distraction.
