South Australia takes a bit of a different approach when it comes to traffic cameras.
It has hundreds of them, much like other large states, but the South Australia Police makes information on them more accessible than most.
That includes making raw data readily available to the public, publishing mobile locations ahead of time, and even offering an app that allows you to view camera locations on your mobile device.
Last year, South Australia Police deployed mobile speed cameras at 923 different locations though technically it has another 5000 or so different location codes on file.
There are 184 fixed traffic cameras, including point-to-point and level crossing cameras.
You can view a full list of fixed locations on the SAPOL website, which also advises where and when mobile cameras will be in use.
The top five fixed locations in calendar year 2020 were:
| Location | Number of offences |
|---|---|
| Intersection of Main North Road and Womma Road, Elizabeth North | 3381 |
| South Eastern Freeway, Leawood Gardens (one of three locations) | 2208 |
| Prospect Road, Prospect | 2030 |
| Intersection of Port Wakefield Drive and Globe Derby Drive, Globe Derby Park | 1991 |
| Goodwood Road, Goodwood | 1938 |
The other two South Eastern Freeway, Leawood Gardens locations recorded 1887 and 652 offences, respectively.
The top five mobile locations were:
| Location | Number of offences |
|---|---|
| Northern Connector | 3986 |
| Main South Road, Old Noarlunga | 2668 |
| Jeffcott Street, North Adelaide | 1935 |
| Military Road, West Beach | 1894 |
| Chief Street, Brompton | 1747 |
SAPOL choose camera locations based on a range of factors.
For mobile locations, it’ll look at how many casualties occurred in a particular area, as well as how many fines were issued for drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 30km/h.
SAPOL will also review any Traffic Watch reports made by the public.
For new fixed locations, it’ll identify a location based on crash statistics, driver behaviour, and the presence of vulnerable road users like pedestrians.
It’ll give higher priority to new locations based on the following factors:
- A high number of crashes in the past five years, with SAPOL giving a greater weighting for more severe crashes and those involving pedestrians
- A higher number of right-turn crashes
- Roads with a higher number of lanes in both directions
- Higher speed zones
- Roads with higher traffic volumes
- Roads used by heavy vehicles
- Presence of crossings and schools
Should you exceed the speed limit in South Australia, you’ll be penalised as follows:
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Exceeding speed limit by less than 10km/h | $180 and two demerit points |
| Exceeding speed limit by 10-19km/h | $406 and three demerit points |
| Exceeding speed limit by 20-29km/h | $825 and five demerit points |
| Exceeding speed limit by 30-44km/h | $1500 and seven demerit points |
| Exceeding speed limit by 45km/h or more | $1690 fine, nine demerit points, and a six-month licence suspension |
