New South Wales has begun enforcing bi-directional detection technology on its mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras, becoming the first jurisdiction globally to deploy the upgrade.

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From Sunday, one camera unit equipped with the new capability will begin enforcement. The remaining nine portable mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera units are scheduled to receive the upgrade within six months.

What Has Changed

Since 2019, mobile phone detection cameras in NSW have monitored up to two lanes of traffic travelling in a single direction. The new upgrade enables cameras to detect offences in both directions of travel.

The system is supplied by Acusensus, which provides mobile phone detection cameras to all Australian states and territories except Tasmania, Victoria, and the Northern Territory.

According to Acusensus, this is the first deployment of bi-directional mobile phone camera enforcement technology anywhere in the world. The upgrade required additional hardware and software integration into the existing portable camera trailers.

Testing and Rollout

The upgraded cameras underwent initial testing in January 2024, followed by further integration and field testing prior to enforcement commencing.

Enforcement Data

Transport for NSW has reported that in 2025:

  • Approximately one in every 1,200 vehicles checked was detected using a mobile phone illegally.
  • Approximately one in every 1,300 vehicles checked was detected breaching seatbelt laws.

When mobile phone camera enforcement first began, as many as one in every 400 vehicles was detected using a mobile phone illegally.

Vehicle Growth in NSW

The number of registered vehicles in NSW has increased from 6.7 million to 7.5 million, representing a rise of almost 12 per cent.

Revenue Allocation

Revenue collected from camera-detected infringements is directed towards road safety programs.

National Context

  • Tasmania and Victoria use mobile phone detection cameras supplied by different providers.
  • The Northern Territory does not currently operate mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras.

The bi-directional upgrade expands the enforcement capability of NSW’s mobile phone and seatbelt camera network, increasing coverage across opposing traffic flows.

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