Over a five day period, South Australia Police expiated 291 drivers for committing a distraction based offence, including using a mobile phone while driving.
Police heard multiple excuses from distracted drivers who were pulled over and issued a fine for using their phone.
Some of the excuses included checking stocks on the stock market, buying new tyres for the car they were operating, sending a text to wake up children at home, taking orders for a coffee run and checking that the house alarm was on.
Despite only being 1km from her home address, one woman couldn't wait until she was home when she was caught checking work shift schedules to nominate herself for a shift.
Additionally, a motorist along North Terrace was caught driving with a mobile phone in her hand. When she stopped at the traffic lights, she picked up a second phone using her spare hand before being pulled over.
One man was also caught checking his bank balance while driving which earned him a $794 fine.
"There is never an acceptable excuse for being distracted while you're behind the wheel," said Superintendent Bob Gray, Officer in Charge of the Traffic Services Branch.
"Driving is a complex task and using a mobile phone for any reason can significantly impair your reaction time, your ability to maintain speed and your ability to judge safe gaps in traffic.
"Last year in this state we lost 46 lives in collisions where distraction was a contributing factor. This year we have already lost 24 lives due to distraction.
"Do not contribute to this loss of life. Whether it's your boss, your partner, your friend or family trying to contact you, it can wait. Your life is worth more than a text or phone call."
Operation Fatal Distraction ran from 12:01am on Monday 4 May 2020 and ended at 11:59pm on Friday 8 May 2020.
