Vigilante speed camera warrior’s attempt to save drivers getting stung with fines spectacularly backfires

A man who was happy to block a mobile speed camera has instead had his action described as ‘stupid’.

The Sydney motorist shared a photo of his car parked behind the unmarked vehicle housing the mobile speed camera to social media.

The man believed his car was blocking the camera from accurately capturing the speeds of other drivers, writing that it was ‘the only way to deal with these vermin’.

Other users were quick to hit back at the driver, saying he wasn’t obstructing the camera’s view and should instead ‘get a hobby’.

Social media users said the man had instead done the opposite of what he intended and made it easier for motorists to be caught speeding.

“It doesn’t block anything other than making it harder for other drivers to see them. The cameras are pointed at an angle, not straight back,’ one user wrote.

“All you’ve done is make it so people have a better chance of getting caught because they can’t see the mobile speeder,” said another.

”Is this really worth your time?” A third asked.

While blocking mobile speed cameras is illegal in parts of Australia, images have circulated on social media of drivers lifting the bonnet of their car or using umbrellas to render the camera useless.

A now-deleted Facebook group called ‘Block Their Shot’ encouraged users to take part in the illegal act.

The group was taken down in 2015 after more than 50,000 people joined to cheer on those who parked behind the cameras.

‘I’m appalled that people support such a primitive campaign – it’s not cool or fun, it’s stupid and dangerous,’ NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay said at the time.

‘If they don’t stop this stupidity, I will take action.’

Blocking speed cameras became illegal soon after, when a 32-year-old Wanneroo man was charged with obstructing a public officer and had his car impounded for 28 days for parking in front of a camera in 2016.