Australia is testing a world-first camera system aimed at catching drivers who text behind the wheel. The technology is already proving to be a valuable tool, and it's highlighting the scale of a serious problem. Greg Navarro has more.

Most law enforcement officers will tell you that there are enough distractions on the roads we face daily - without consciously adding to them. Yet from the unique view of a series of high-tech cameras perched above 2 busy Sydney roads, it seems some people just don't get it.

PETER KHOURY SPOKESPERSON, KRMA "The best drivers in the world can't text and drive, the best drivers in the world can't check their Facebook and drive, it is just not possible."

That fact hasn't stopped people from trying. This driver thought using 2 phones was a smart idea.

That's why mobile phone detection cameras were installed late last year in a pilot program trialled on Sydney roads.

The system uses artificial intelligence, and works at speeds of up to 300 kilometres an hour - day or night. It's now catching more than 1,000 people a day.

PETER KHOURY SPOKESPERSON, KRMA "In fact, we are surprised that it isn't even higher. This is an occurrence that you see right across the road network here in Australia."

It's estimated that one out of every 10 deadly crashes on Australian roads is linked to drivers using their mobile phones.

GREG NAVARRO MELBOURNE "Let's say you are driving at about 60 kilometres an hour and you make the decision to glance down at your phone, which statistically lasts for about 2 seconds. During that time you will have travelled 33 meters - that's the distance the camera has travelled since I've been talking and then some. The problem is that you will have done that blind meaning that you didn't see a thing that was in front of you, and you just doubled your chances of being in a serious crash."

Despite those number and graphic ad campaigns - the problem isn't going away.

"Unfortunately roads trauma touches everybody in the community."

It's a fact Alexander Jannink is well aware of. In 2013, his friend, 29-year-old James Rapley was killed by a distracted driver. That prompted Jannink to create a company called Acusensus. It aims to reduce distracted driving - and created the technology used by these cameras.

ALEXANDER JANNINK MANAGING DIRECTOR, ACUSENSUS "Our solution is designed to catch those drivers who are using their phones in the most dangerous scenarios where they are driving and at high speeds."

Jannink says his system is receiving interests from several countries also trying to combat distracted driving. If the technology is adopted by New South Wales,  offenders could face 100 dollars' fine and loss of points on the drivers' licenses. GREG NAVARRO, CGTN, MELBOURNE.