NSW drivers to cop hefty fines if caught by mobile phone detection cameras

Drivers in NSW will face hefty fines if they're caught by hidden cameras using mobile phones when driving from today.

A three-month grace period for mobile phone detection cameras ends this weekend, with drivers set to lose five demerit points and cop a $344 fine, or a $457 fine if caught in a school zone.

On December 1 last year, fixed and transportable trailer-mounted cameras were turned on at 45 locations for the three-month trial. Drivers caught received a warning notice but no penalty or loss of points.

The detection cameras photograph all passing cars, with a computer then identifying drivers who have a phone in their hand.

They nabbed 3303 drivers breaking the law in the seven days after the cameras were activated on December 1.

Based on numbers from a recent trial, it's estimated that more than one million drivers will be caught every year, attracting up to $348 million in fines.