A driver claimed she received a $387 fine in the mail for using her phone while driving, but the roadside camera actually photographed her holding her glasses case.
Ms Lee, who asked that her name not be used, said the photo is from January 9 this year when she was driving back to Sydney on the Hume Highway after a trip to Melbourne.
‘It was night so I took off my sunglasses, that’s what I was doing. “It looks like my sunglasses case,” Ms. Lee said. yahoo news.
She protested the fine (and five demerit points) to the NSW authorities, explaining that she had no need to use her phone while driving.
“I have Android Auto, you don’t have to touch my phone, I can give voice commands,” he said.
The driver said she was fined for holding her phone, but it was actually her glasses case (pictured)
‘It was night so I took off my sunglasses, that’s what I was doing. It looks like my sunglasses case (pictured),’ Ms Lee said.
He also sent Revenue NSW a photo of the glasses case in question resting on his lap in the driver’s seat, similar to how it was in the photo to show how the “error” may have occurred.
But Revenue NSW sent him a response saying the fine would remain in place.
“We have reviewed the footage and are satisfied that the fine was correctly imposed… a driver in a vehicle that is not parked cannot hold a phone in their hand or against their body,” said a letter sent to Ms Lee.
Lee, who is out of work, said the fine was a significant hit to his pocketbook.
‘Why bother having a review process if you’re not going to do anything about it? It is a large sum of money.
Aerial mobile phone detection cameras are widely used in Australia.
Mobile phone cameras found in New South Wales have led to numerous fines, including this one spotted in northern Sydney.
Queensland and Victoria have recently improved camera capabilities to also detect those not wearing a seatbelt.
New South Wales will do the same from July 1.
In the coming years, ACT aims to further expand the reach of the equipment so that they can read license plates and automatically check whether cars are registered and insured.
