In the age of advanced technology, where roadside cameras are increasingly relied upon to enforce traffic laws, a troubling issue has emerged that could affect any Australian driver. Anne Guirguis, a driver from Sydney, found herself on the receiving end of a hefty $410 fine for allegedly not wearing her seatbelt properly—a claim she vehemently denies. Her experience has shed light on a significant problem with roadside cameras: the accuracy of the evidence they produce.
Anne’s story began when she was captured by a mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera in Tempe, Sydney, on February 9. She received a fine in the mail, which included two photographs taken seconds apart. In the first image, the seatbelt was not visible, but in the second, it appeared to be on. Anne was adamant that she had been wearing her seatbelt, as her 2012 Jeep Patriot would have sounded an alarm otherwise. She recalls being fully buckled up on her way to Good Guys with a friend.
The grainy and unclear photos have become the crux of Anne’s dispute with the authorities. She has requested better quality images to prove her compliance with the law, but her initial appeals have been met with a firm directive to pay the fine. Anne is now considering taking her case to the ombudsman, hoping for a fair review of the evidence.
This incident is not an isolated one. Yahoo News reports that more motorists are coming forward with claims of wrongful fines based on poor-quality images from roadside cameras. The dual-tech road cameras, introduced in NSW last year, have been a boon for traffic enforcement, with over 11,400 fines issued in the first three weeks alone. However, the surge in fines has been accompanied by a wave of complaints from drivers who feel they’ve been unjustly penalised.
The growing discontent among drivers is palpable. Hayder Shkara, principal lawyer at Walker Pender, has noticed an uptick in cases where motorists claim they’ve been wrongly accused of offences. The ambiguity of photos, especially those taken at night, makes it difficult to determine if a seatbelt is being worn correctly. Shkara emphasises that while drivers can appeal fines, the process can be arduous, and for some, the loss of points could mean the loss of their livelihood.
The issue extends beyond seatbelt infractions. Shkara previously highlighted the absurdity of drivers facing fines if their passengers recline their seats too far back. Such stringent enforcement has led to a climate of fear on Australian roads, where drivers are constantly wary of the next potential fine.
As road authorities grapple with the challenge of reducing fatalities, which have been rising at a rate not seen since 1966, the reliance on roadside cameras is under scrutiny. While these cameras are a critical tool for traffic law enforcement, their effectiveness is compromised if the evidence they produce is not clear and beyond dispute.
What are your thoughts on this matter? Have you or someone you know experienced a similar situation with a roadside camera fine? Do you believe the current system is fair, or do improvements need to be made? We’d love to hear your perspective—share your thoughts in the comments below!
Also read: Incredible roadside discovery brings traffic to a standstill, leaves motorists in awe
Yes. Had the same experience in QLD Hervey Bay. The quality of the image was criminal. The supposedly high quality images you can access online were no better. I was recovering from open heart surgery and the passenger in this case. The stupid camera saw the rear seat seat-belt clearly and it looked like it was in the front. But with bucked seats it was obvious the seat belt was in the rear. I was wearing my seat belt just the stupid AI running the show got it wrong from the blurry image. I got a letter from my doctor saying what had happened with my operation and TMR Qld rescinded the infringement but not before a local police office at the local station told me to just pay the fine. His attitude was a disgrace to the uniform he was wearing. I told him as I was innocent there was no way I was going to pay without a fight.