How Aussie drivers are being fleeced for THOUSANDS by high-tech cameras – fining people for holding their HAT behind the wheel with even their own hand mistaken for a mobile phone
- NSW has collected $73 million in fines for mobile phone offences in the last year
- Drivers claim hats, wallets and hands are being mistaken for phones by cameras
- Centre for Road Safety defended the cameras and insists they’re doing their job
Motorists claim hats, wallets and even hands are being mistaken for mobile phones by revenue-raising cameras.
Drivers have spoken out about being slugged with unfair fines for allegedly using their phones while behind the wheel.
New South Wales has collected more than $73million in fines for mobile phone offences since portable cameras were implemented a year ago, compared to just $8million in the 12 months prior.
Adelaide food truck owner Zubair Ghalzai was on his way to Sydney to spend time with his critically ill father in hospital when he was caught by a camera holding a ‘phone’ in his left hand – despite the object clearly being far larger than a phone.
He claims he was actually holding his hat, which cost him a $349 fine and five demerits.
Zubair Ghalzai (pictured) claims he’s holding his hat in his left hand in this photo captured by a mobile detection camera
‘How come it’s three times bigger than my hand?’ Mr Ghalzai told A Current Affair.
‘I knew straight away that it’s not a mobile phone.’
‘It’s about 16 or 17 hour drive from here to Sydney, so every now and then I take it off and put it back on just to relax my head.’
In another incident, Stephen Howie was on his way home from work when he was captured by a mobile detection camera.
The self-employed sign writer claimed the ‘phone’ in his hand was his wallet and that the photo shows his mobile in a hands-free cradle.
‘The little people are getting ripped off,’ Mr Howie said.
‘This shouldn’t be happening. Technology obviously isn’t up to scratch and it doesn’t work
‘It’s just a money grabbing thing… and most people would just pay it.’
Zubair Ghalzai (pictured) was on his way to Sydney to see his critically-ill father when he was caught by one of NSW’s new cameras targeting illegal mobile phone use behind the wheel
Both Mr Ghalzai and Mr Howie have since had their fines revoked by Revenue NSW.
The pair spoke out after Sydney mum-of-two Steff Doney, 37, sparked a divided public reaction when she recently appeared on the program claiming her perfect driving record was tarnished by a mobile camera.
Ms Doney claimed she was captured scratching her face and insists she was not holding her phone in the photo captured by the camera.
Bernard Carlon from the Centre for Road Safety defended the cameras and insists they’re doing their job in reducing mobile phone use behind the wheel.
‘About one in 82 people during the trial period were seen to be offending and holding their mobile phone and that’s now down to less than one in 400,’ Mr Carlon told the program.
Stephen Howie says this photo shows his mobile phone sitting in a hands-free cradle and that he’s holding his wallet while behind the wheel
The fine for using a mobile phone while driving in NSW is $349 and five demerit points, which increases to 10 points during double demerit periods.
The fine is higher in the ACT, where drivers are slugged $470 and four demerit points
Queensland has the toughest laws in the country for the offence with a $1000 fine and four demerit points.
South Australia is next with a $544 fine and three demerits.
Victorian motorists caught with their phone are fined $455 and cop four demerit points.
Western Australia increased the fine to $500 last September, along with three demerit points.
Sydney mum Steff Doney (pictured) claims she was scratching her face and doesn’t have her mobile phone to her ear while behind the wheel
Using a phone while driving in Tasmania carries a $300 fine and three demerit points.
The Northern Territory has the most lenient laws in Australia with a $250 fine and three points.
Victoria is the latest state government to roll out new road-safety cameras in its crackdown targeting illegal mobile phone use behind the wheel.
The $33.7million initiative follows a three-month period last year which assessed almost 680,000 vehicles.
The trial found one in 42 drivers were using their mobile phone while behind the wheel.