NSW drivers fined more than $60 million for mobile phone offences last year

Fines for drivers using their mobile phones behind the wheel skyrocketed in the past year after the introduction of new detection cameras.

The mobile phone detection cameras were first introduced into NSW in December 2019 for an initial trial period, and from March 2020 fines were enforced.

All the fines issued in NSW between January and December 2020 for mobile phone-related offences added up to a total of $60,789,900.

READ MORE: Speeding fines in NSW spike after warning signs for cameras removed

Of that figure, $56,411,416 of the fines came from offences caught on mobile phone detection cameras.

The remaining fines were issued by NSW Police officers.

For comparison, the total figure for mobile phone-related fines in 2019 was $8,629,181.

The new cameras first appeared in NSW on December 1, 2019, and drivers were given a three-month grace period if they were caught in one of 45 locations.

From March 1, fines were introduced and drivers now lose five demerit points and cop a $344 fine, or a $457 fine if caught in a school zone.

Last week 9News reported the NSW Government's controversial overhaul of the mobile speed camera program resulted in a similar spike.

The decision to remove warning signs for the cameras, strip back vehicle markings and increase enforcement time on the state's roads, is having a huge impact.

Monthly fines have more than tripled since the changes were introduced, with revenue surging to a record high of almost $2.5 million in December.

By comparison, the figure was under $400,000 for the same month in the previous year.

Money from fines is reinvested in the Community Road Safety Fund.