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Western Australia will now begin administering fines for those caught by AI-enabled road safety cameras that monitor speed, mobile phone use, seatbelt use and more.
The state has been trialling the technology on its roads during a seven-month introductory period, during which time it issued over 60,000 notices for over 275,000 offences.
Six mobile safety cameras, including trailer and fixed, were used during the trial, which began in January, while two fixed camera locations on the Kwinana Freeway were upgraded. The cameras will complement the existing camera fleet.
While notices were issued, the police did not administer any fines or penalties.
However, beginning 8 October, the Western Australian Police Force will begin issuing penalties for any cases of road rules being broken captured by the AI cameras.
The West Australian government said the improved safety camera program is funded by the Road Trauma Trust Account, and 100 per cent of infringement revenue will be allocated to programs and other projects to reduce road accidents, injuries and deaths.
AI mobile phone detection cameras began being rolled out more widely earlier this year.
The new cameras will be used to detect drivers who use, touch or hold a mobile phone while driving or stationary at a red light. They are able to monitor multiple lanes and can operate in any weather or light conditions.
The cameras have already been used on the Tasman Bridge in Hobart, Tasmania, and have resulted in a dramatic increase in caught drivers, with 700 a week compared to only 458 in the entire 2021–2022 period.
To prevent drivers from being incorrectly charged by a hallucinating AI, all instances where a driver is flagged for using a mobile phone behind the wheel will be verified by a human before fines are issued to drivers. Drivers will face fines of up to $1,209 and five demerit points. Repeat offenders may have their licenses suspended.
The AI cameras, along with new penalties regarding speeding, seatbelts, parking and more, will be rolled out on 1 July.
Mobile speed cameras will now also identify non-seatbelt wearers, speed limits will be reduced in certain areas, and ticketless parking fines will be removed after drivers complained that they were unaware of being fined.
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