16 July 2024

WATCH: Hefty fines for more than two dozen drivers on back of expanded online reporting capabilities

| Claire Fenwicke
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dashcam footage of car running a red light

The driver of the blue car copped a $518 fine and accrued three demerit points after dashcam footage of them running a red light was uploaded to the reporting portal. Photo: ACT Policing.

More than 130 online dangerous driving reports have resulted in 25 drivers being issued with fines in the past two months.

ACT Policing expanded its online reporting capability in May to include dangerous driving, letting the community have the chance to upload their dashcam footage of illegal driver behaviour.

Offences captured include not stopping at red lights, not giving way, tailgating, mobile phone offences and careless driving.

Officer in Charge of Road Policing Acting Inspector Mark Richardson said dashcam footage provided police with the ability to have eyes anywhere, anytime.

“Gone are the days where police needed to be right there to be able to fine drivers for offences they commit on our roads,” he said.

“By using modern technology, and public support to send in footage of driving offences they observe on our roads, police are now able to utilise this footage to ensure drivers are held to account at all times.”

In addition to the 25 fines, 35 drivers were issued with cautions or warnings, and six matters are under investigation.

READ ALSO High-vis police campaign targeting intimidatory and antisocial behaviour in Canberra’s city centre

Act Insp Richardson said while it was pleasing so many people had been using the online portal, it was disappointing to see how many motorists were driving poorly each day.

“This serves as a reminder to those people who choose to put other drivers at risk through your actions, just because you can’t see police in sight – it does not mean that we can’t see you,” he said.

“We would also once again encourage members of the public to come forward with this kind of dashcam footage. Police will continue to investigate all matters of dangerous driving that are reported to us.”

To use the online form, submitters need to be able to provide video or photographic evidence of the driving offence witnessed when requested by ACT Policing.

They may also be required to provide a formal witness statement to police and attend court as a witness to confirm the information provided in the witness statement.

Many matters can be dealt with by police without proceeding to court.

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Finally it might end our epidemic of red light running which is a bonus.

I imagine some revenue will be raised from people traveling in the right lane of the Tuggeranong Parkway, Federal Highway or Majura Parkway/Monaro Highway where the speed limit is 90 or 100.

So, how do we know its not “revenge reporting” using AI deep fakes?

Because people might be able to provide some evidence they were not there at the time? Or is that insufficiently obvious?

The AI tech is very good, but maybe its beyond some peoples limited grasp. No matter.

Just more fines for the middle class, the extreme offenders will never be stopped. Rattenbury has done all that he can to prevent genuine positive change from Matthew McLuckies death.

I can’t imagine wanting to do the cops job for them for free.

The Stasi would be salivating.

Yeah, just look at how people behaved during covid – it was like nazi germany…..dobbing people in…..I have no faith in people after what I saw.

I can’t wait to see the outrage from the usual suspects over this use of civilians for revenue raising. Get your BINGO cards ready, folks.

Chris Ellard4:56 pm 17 Jul 24

Fantastic, I just hope they take it seriously and don’t just bust people tailgating but also people driving slowly in the right lane with traffic banked up behind them.

Chris Ellard, totally agree its a pet hate of mine, however it is only illegal in areas above 80km/h so that limits where it can be fined in Canberra.

Or where there are “keep left unless overtaking” signs even if the speed limit is 80 or less. There are a few of those signs around the ACT.

Ross of Canberra1:02 am 19 Jul 24

When has anyone been fined for not keeping left unless overtaking? Neglect, laziness and cruise control are much of the cause. Still, drivers without rules will find a base behaviour that’s free from penalty no matter the danger. On the highway, it is folk queuing to overtake and obstructing access to overtake to those in the left lane.

I need to get a dash cam, just today in a 10min drive I was tailgated by multiple cars when doing the speed limit, there’s also those that don’t give way when merging (which is my biggest pet peeve) 🙁

Heywood Smith11:47 am 19 Jul 24

You do realise that even if you’re doing the speed limit, you need to keep left? Doing the speed limit doesn’t give you the right you to sit in the right lane like an entitled tosser.

This is a really positive use of technology, making our roads safer by providing real evidence of those who make them unsafe. I love it!!!

People know the rules. Break them and expect to cop a fine!

But A/g Inspector Mark Richardson mentioned in this article seems to ring a bell with me.

Isn’t A/g Inspector Mark Richardson the newly minted candidate for the Independents for Canberra at this year’s territory election, advocating for a tougher approach on law enforcement in the ACT? Mr Richardson was the top cop who fronted the media during the last Summernats festival and called on the government to introduce tougher laws aimed at those he does not like. Describing visitors and attendees at the event as a “sub-species of the human race” engaged in “moron tourism” he called for an IQ test station at the border rather than playing Whack-a-Mole with a vehicle testing station.

These words were reported in media around the country and seem inconceivable to me, coming from a senior police officer in law enforcement employed in a senior leadership role.

@RiotACT Moderator
Why did you remove my response to Jack D.? His post is clearly intended as electoral material and perhaps it should not have been incluced.

Check out the ACT Electoral Commission’s Fact sheet – Authorising electoral material (https://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections/our-electoral-system/education/fact-sheets/authorising-electoral-material) under the heading “What is electoral material?”:
“… This includes, but is not limited to, matter which contains an express or implicit reference to, or comment on:

. The performance of a political party, a candidate or group of candidates in the election”

@Jack D.
You must be worried, Jack D. Is your polling showing that Mark Richardson may be a contender?

LOL
Amusing seeing somebody who is constantly given huge amounts of leeway complain about the comment moderation.

@Ken M
Oh I totally agree … what were they thinking?

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