$730 Speeding Ticket!

[manic]

I always drive within the speed limits. I have not received a speeding ticket for many years. So today I was surprised to receive a ticket in the post, and shocked that they want $730!

I just don't understand how they can get away with charging so much... last time I saw a ticket it was around $100! The deterrent should be in the demerit points against your license - speed about often and you lose your license! The actual fine to pay should cover administrative costs with perhaps a levy that goes to a charity for road accident victims (that would be nice).

A $730 fine is nothing for some but there must be many people out there who simply do not have $730 spare each month after paying all their required living costs. It's a punishment that is not equal. It delivers hardship for some whilst others can afford to greet it with a chuckle.

I'm ****ed off because this ticket says that my defender was doing 102kph in a 80kph zone on the highway to Melrose over Easter. Now I love a 80kph zone, the deefer is more fuel efficient at that speed, you get a break from the wind noise, can hear the stereo better. There is simply NO WAY I would have done 100 in an 80!

This was on the STURT HWY in SA. Either they had a sign out/obscured, their camera was faulty or they had a car sitting just behind a 80kph sign coming down from a 110kph and they caught me on the slow down.

If it was $50 - $200 then I would probably give them the benefit of the doubt, thinking perhaps I was distracted and an 80kph sign somehow went by without notice. But if they are asking $730 I need proof beyond doubt.

I need a photo of the incident,
gps position of the incident,
relative position of the 80kph speed restriction sign,
proof that the sign was not obscured that day,
proof that the speed detection device had been recently calibrated
proof that the cameras speed detection is not suspect by providing amount of infringements detected that day compared to a yearly average.

If its proven witout doubt that I could have avoided the fine, then OK I pay $730 and break the news to my defender that its ashcroft locker will not be coming any time soon!

Until then:


Oh and when does the Revolution start!?

[carlschmid2002]

I completely agree with your opinion about losing demerit points. If they are serious about getting dangerous drivers off the road then take points off them. Fining does nothing more than raise funds for state governments who so badly mismanage their budget that they have come to rely on speed cameras to balance the books. It seems that the in car cameras and recorders that many forum members have fitted are becoming a necessity.

[schuy1]

WOW! In QLD that would just about lose you your licence! So yes I would be asking the hard Qs 2. However given the stupidity of the system I dont hold a lot of hope! I have had them go to aim the gun at me and when they see its a Defender just lower it again!!! Not often mind you, always some hopeful out there!

[bicubic]

You can always put your hand up, plead guilty but ask for leniency as it was an exceptional event and out of character. Ask to have the fine reduced to a warning. You'll need a spotless licence (I think most states say two years but longer is better). If issued, a warning goes on record should you do it again.

I've just had to cop this regarding an expired licence recently. Did not even realise it (moved interstate, postal issues... blah, blah). I wrote in after having a brief discussion with the officer at the time and the person in the Vic Roads office about 20 mins later. You have to admit to the charge without question, be sincere, and like I said before, have a totally clean record.

It either goes away (which I think mine has but still not completely sure ) or they issue a warning. Bad luck would have the fine stick but at least you get the time extension of the appeal before you pay it.

Your rights will be outlined on the ticket and further information is on the issuing states website. Do a quick search of whirlpool forums too, there is a long discussion there about it. There's even some advice on what you should write. You'll loose all rights to appeal in a court due to a guilty plea being needed in the first instance—the biggest draw back.

P

[manic]

You can always put your hand up, plead guilty but ask for leniency as it was an exceptional event and out of character. Ask to have the fine reduced to a warning. You'll need a spotless licence (I think most states say two years but longer is better). If issued, a warning goes on record should you do it again.

I've just had to cop this regarding an expired licence recently. Did not even realise it (moved interstate, postal issues... blah, blah). I wrote in after having a brief discussion with the officer at the time and the person in the Vic Roads office about 20 mins later. You have to admit to the charge without question, be sincere, and like I said before, have a totally clean record.

It either goes away (which I think mine has but still not completely sure ) or they issue a warning. Bad luck would have the fine stick but at least you get the time extension of the appeal before you pay it.

Your rights will be outlined on the ticket and further information is on the issuing states website. Do a quick search of whirlpool forums too, there is a long discussion there about it. There's even some advice on what you should write. You'll loose all rights to appeal in a court due to a guilty plea being needed in the first instance—the biggest draw back.

P

Worth consideration - thanks.

My plan of action may change but at the moment I plan to post off a request for photo evidence. If it is clear who is driving I will opt for a review in court, not necessarily to win but to have my questions answered. So long as I feel that my case has been properly reviewed with all my contentions considered - I will accept the decision.


edit - ... hmmm thinking about it - court appearance is not likely to be in Melbourne is it... crap. Paying for a trip to adelaide just to lose does not sound appealing!

[ezyrama]

The car isnt registered in a company name is it??, We had a $730 fine here in QLD but was reduced to $143.00 when we nominated the driver who was driving the company car at he time of the so called offence, 71km/h in a 60km/r zone, 2 lanes, dead straight, light traffic, revenue raising bull****!!!

[OffTrack]

That is a nasty surprise. It would have been much cheaper if you'd been done in Victoria.

In South Australia:
Road Safety : Speed limits & penalites
20-30kph over the limit = $670 + $60 Victims of Crime levy + 5 demerit points.

In Victoria:
Fines - Cameras Save Lives
10-24kph over the limit = $282 + 3 demerit points.

[manic]

Its not a company registered car - I think in SA they would actually charge more if it was!

I always thought VIC was the worst for fines but over in SA they are BRUTAL!

[OffTrack]

WOW! In QLD that would just about lose you your licence! So yes I would be asking the hard Qs 2. However given the stupidity of the system I dont hold a lot of hope! I have had them go to aim the gun at me and when they see its a Defender just lower it again!!! Not often mind you, always some hopeful out there!

Same in Vic. 25kph above the limit and you lose your license for a month.

I've actually been done for speeding in NW Victoria for something similar. My partner pointed something out to me off to the side of the road and I missed the first 80 kph sign, and was doing 90kph when I went past the second. Of course the town cop was sitting a couple of 100m down the road with his radar gun at the time. It's so easy to miss the signs if your distracted for a second or two, but I guess that is the point. You shouldn't be distracted when driving.

[Eevo]

gps position of the incident,
relative position of the 80kph speed restriction sign,
proof that the sign was not obscured that day,
proof that the speed detection device had been recently calibrated
proof that the cameras speed detection is not suspect by providing amount of infringements detected that day compared to a yearly average.

you will need to prove this, not the police.