New road rules move sees Aussie drivers slapped with $500,000 in fines
Like NSW and Queensland, the ACT offers an online portal for residents to report various non-urgent incidents to police, with the service expanding last year to allow the submission of traffic offences caught on camera.
And the move appears to have paid off, with authorities receiving more than 1,800 reports from July, 2024 until June, leading officers to issue more than 1,100 infringements. Another 250 drivers copped a warning.
Speaking to Yahoo News on Friday, a spokesperson for ACT Policing revealed most drivers caught on camera were busted for traffic light offences — mainly failing to stop for a red light — which carries a $552 penalty.
The 'dangerous and selfish' act places everyone on the road at 'significant risk', Detective acting Inspector Sean Evans said, urging those behind the wheel to 'slow down and be patient'. 'The longest you'll wait for a green light in Canberra is approximately a minute and a half,' he explained.
Numerous motorists were also fined for driving without due care, negligent driving, and overtaking violations, with police releasing shocking clips of the offences. The footage shows a large truck crossing multiple lanes at great speed before almost colliding with a motorist, and various other cars suddenly swerving in front of trailing vehicles.
Warning to drivers breaking road rules: 'Dangerous'
The spokesperson for ACT Policing told Yahoo the online reporting system is 'an added measure of accountability for drivers', alongside police patrols and cameras.
'Police may not catch you running a red light, but the car behind you may, and if there's video evidence, you can then be issued an infringement,' they said.
'Police can't be everywhere, all the time. And this system allows other drivers — where they see dangerous driving occurring — to report it to police in a simple and convenient way.'
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To report a driver, you must be able to provide video or photographic evidence of the offence you witnessed when requested by ACT Policing. The complainant may also be required to provide a formal witness statement and attend court to confirm the information.
Earlier this year, ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Scott Lee said the electronic service had freed up resources, allowing officers to focus on more time-sensitive matters.
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