What offences can cameras catch you committing when driving? This article might help you answer that question.
Traffic or red-light cameras play a significant role in NSW, offering various benefits for drivers, law enforcement, and road safety as a whole. Studies have shown a significant decrease in speeding and related accidents in areas with traffic cameras. This translates to fewer fatalities, injuries, and overall safer roads for everyone.
So, to answer your question “what offences can cameras catch you committing when driving?” Read this article. These are the offences that cameras can catch you committing when driving:
What Offences Can Cameras Catch You Committing When Driving: Speeding Offences
This is the most common traffic offence, not only in New South Wales (NSW), but also in other states. In NSW, there are several types of road safety cameras:
- Fixed speed cameras. These are stationed at specific camera locations and capture your speed as you pass.
- Mobile speed cameras. Mounted on vans or trailers, mobile speed cameras can be set up anywhere, making it crucial to stick to the limit everywhere.
- Police vehicle cameras. Some police cars have built-in speed cameras, adding another layer of vigilance.
Speed limits vary depending on the type of road, area (e.g., school zones), and time of day. Always be aware of the posted limit.
The limit may also vary depending on your licence type. Driving faster than the maximum speed for your licence can lead to fines, demerit points, and loss of licence.
Speed cameras will also record the:
- date of the offence
- time of the offence
- location details of the mobile speed camera that took the picture
- direction of travel of the offending vehicle
- speed of the offending vehicle
- speed limit of the road where the mobile camera is situated
- other security and integrity parameters.
What Offences Can Cameras Catch You Committing When Driving: Red Light Offences
Running a red light is a serious traffic violation in NSW, putting yourself and others at risk. It’s an offence to enter an intersection after the traffic light turns red (including the yellow arrow phase). A red-light camera is commonly used at many intersections throughout NSW, automatically detecting and capturing violations.
If you commit this type of offence, you will get a penalty notice, have to pay a fine and receive demerit points. Traffic light offences include:
- running a red light
- not stopping at a stop sign before a red light
- speeding through a yellow light
- not giving way to pedestrians or other vehicles at traffic lights.
Not stopping at red lights carries a fine of AUD 469 and 3 demerit points.
What Offences Can Cameras Catch You Committing When Driving: Mobile Phone Use
Using your phone while driving in NSW is not only dangerous but also illegal. Regulation 300 of the Road Rules 2014 prohibits drivers from using a mobile phone while their vehicle is moving, or stationary but not parked. However, this section also enumerates some exceptions:
- the phone is being used to make or receive an audio phone call or to perform an audio playing function and the body of the phone:
- is secured in a mounting affixed to the vehicle while being so used, or
- is not secured in a mounting affixed to the vehicle and is not being held by the driver, and the use of the phone does not require the driver, at any time while using it, to press anything on the body of the phone or to otherwise manipulate any part of the body of the phone, or
- the phone functions as a visual display unit that is being used as a driver’s aid and the phone is secured in a mounting affixed to the vehicle, or
- the vehicle is an emergency vehicle or a police vehicle, or
- the driver is exempt from this rule under another law of this jurisdiction.
The violation of this prohibition carries with it a fine of AUD 352 and 5 demerit points.
What Offences Can Cameras Catch You Committing When Driving: Seatbelt Offences
In NSW, wearing a seatbelt is not just a good idea, it’s the law. Failing to buckle up carries significant penalties and puts yourself and others at risk. The Road Rules Act 2014 provides for the penalties and circumstances of violation in relation to seatbelt offences.
These penalties and circumstances are stated under Sections 264 to 276 of the Act. Any violation of these sections imposes a fine of AUD 352 to AUD 1,487 and 3 to 6 demerit points.
Thus, all drivers must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seatbelt while the vehicle is moving or stationary but not parked. Moreover, all passengers aged 7 years and over must wear a seatbelt in any seating position equipped with one.
Remember to buckle up every time, every ride. It’s a simple action that can save your life and the lives of others.
What Offences Can Cameras Catch You Committing When Driving: Other Offences
Some advanced cameras in NSW have the capability to detect violations beyond the standard offences like speeding, red light running, mobile phone use, and seatbelt non-compliance. Here are other offences that traffic cameras can detect:
- Unregistered vehicles. Some advanced cameras use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, which can cross-check license plates with registration databases. This allows them to identify and potentially flag unregistered vehicles.
Enforcement cameras detect unregistered vehicles. They check your number plate for valid registration and CTP insurance.
- Failing to stop at stop signs. While some cameras can capture vehicles passing through intersections, accurately detecting full stops requires more sophisticated technology and analysis, which might not be widely implemented yet.
- Disobeying lane markings. Similar to stop signs, detecting lane violations like illegal lane changes or crossing solid lines often involves complex image processing and might not be as prevalent as other functionalities.
Caught Speeding in NSW?
Facing a traffic offence in NSW can be stressful and confusing, potentially impacting your license, finances, and driving record. Seek the expertise of a dedicated traffic offence lawyer from JB Solicitors.
We can help you understand the intricacies of the court process and can fight for the best possible outcome in your case. Take control today and schedule a consultation with a traffic offence lawyer.
Contact us today for more information on the speeding camera system of Australia.