Despite its large, branded presence, the high-tech gantry camera caught 337 drivers without seatbelts and 67 on phones. Deployed to improve road safety, the mobile unit will now move on to monitor another location in the region.
A camera rig stationed on a road in Exmouth for the past three weeks has caught the attention of drivers—not just for its size, but for the hundreds of offences it recorded during its deployment.
Despite being anything but discreet—with visible branding on the side—the high-tech gantry system identified 337 drivers not wearing seatbelts and 67 drivers using mobile phones behind the wheel. The mobile enforcement camera, deployed by local authorities to improve road safety, is now set to be moved to a new location within the region.
Police in Exmouth say the impact has been significant. Over the three-week period, there was an 80% drop in seatbelt offences and a 50% decrease in mobile phone use, suggesting the camera's presence served as a strong deterrent to unsafe driving habits.
But officers are urging drivers not to get complacent.
"People often tell me, 'It's just a short journey' or 'It only affects me,'" said a spokesperson from Exmouth Police. "But the reality is very different. I've seen first-hand the devastating consequences of not wearing a seatbelt—from families identifying loved ones after fatal crashes, to survivors who lose their sight and independence forever. These choices affect more than just the driver."
Seatbelts, they stress, also enable airbags to function correctly—something particularly critical in certain vehicles currently under safety recalls.
The rig’s next location has not been disclosed, but police warn that not all camera systems are so easily spotted.
“Our advice is simple: don’t risk your job, your mortgage, your family life, or your future for a moment of carelessness behind the wheel,” the spokesperson added. “Drive safe—and if you see a camera, don’t forget to smile.”
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