Navigating the roads can be challenging enough, even without the added stress of unjust fines. For one pensioner, a battle with the justice system over a road camera fine became a tale of perseverance and eventual triumph.
The story of 79-year-old Dalrene Pompeus, who faced a hefty $494 red light camera fine, is a testament to the importance of questioning authority when it seems to have erred.
Early in February, Dalrene and her husband were stunned to receive a letter claiming their car had run a red light in Melbourne on 22 November of the previous year. Despite her certainty that the light was green as she drove through the intersection, her dashcam footage, which could have served as evidence, was no longer available. They only received the infringement notice three months after the alleged claim happened.
In a plea to the authorities, Dalrene highlighted her clean driving record and the financial burden the fine imposed, equating to almost her entire pension.
‘Having had no previous infringements or penalties, I would be grateful if you reconsider and revoke this fine. I am a pensioner and this fine is almost equal to my pension,’ she implored.
Per the claim, she entered the intersection 1.8 seconds after the light turned red. However, the road safety camera images provided with the fine showed a green light for drivers going straight, with no visible red light. Yet, her initial application to review the fine was rejected, forcing her to start paying in instalments under ‘duress.’
Eventually, the Victoria Police acknowledged an issue with some fixed road safety camera images, particularly at the intersection of Cemetery Road West and Royal Parade, Parkville. The problem is the sun’s reflection at certain times of the day, which could obscure the evidence provided to drivers.
Despite the police’s claim of having ‘additional images that ensure the integrity of the camera,’ none were reportedly shared with Dalrene. However, the department committed to addressing the broader issue, working with the Department of Justice and Community Safety to rectify the sun reflection problem affecting a limited number of cameras.
Dalrene’s son told Yahoo the emotional toll the ordeal took on his mother, saying, ‘The money aside, the feeling of powerlessness Mum felt when trying to challenge this and her mindset, being adamant of not infringing on the intersection, had her quite depressed.’
For many Australians, challenging a fine can seem like a daunting task. Avinash Singh from a criminal law firm points out that camera-detected fines are often not thoroughly reviewed before being issued.
He said that when individuals seek a review, the expectation is that the authorities will examine the images properly, but this is frequently not the case.
‘Most people are not willing, or financially able, to take these fines to court. This leads to police and the government being able to underhandedly rely on the fact that most people will not appeal a fine, to raise revenue with very little oversight. It is a plainly egregious situation, however, unless people start fighting these fines, it is unlikely to change.’
The story of Dalrene Pompeus serves as a reminder to everyone that it’s crucial to stand up for your rights, especially when faced with questionable fines. Her persistence not only led to her fine being rescinded but also prompted police action to fix a systemic issue.
As you see an increase in road monitoring technology across the country, it’s essential to remain vigilant and informed. In the financial year 2023 to 2024, Victoria issued over 1.3 million red light and speeding fines, a slight increase from the previous year. With such high numbers, it’s more important than ever to ensure that each fine is justified and that the evidence supporting it is clear and unambiguous.
We invite you to share your experiences with the YourLifeChoices community. Have you ever successfully contested a road fine? What advice would you give to others facing similar situations? Join the conversation in the comments below.
Also read: Are roadside cameras really catching you? One driver’s $410 fine says otherwise
A few years ago, I was about to turn left into a side street. In broad daylight I clearly saw a roadside speed camera on a tripod. I had nothing to worry about as I was under the speed limit. A few weeks later I received a speeding fine and demerit points. I wrote to Sth Aust Infringement Dept disputing the fine in a clearly written letter. My mistake was I attached a cheque for the amount, this was to be torn up .. or .. to pay the fine before additional penalty and court fees are applied. They sent me a letter with 3 photographs of my number plate and the higher speed count. But all the background was black and only my numberplate was visible. It was broad daylight NOT midnight. I again wrote to complain and highlight the “doctoring” of my registration plate and street image. The reply stated that since I had already paid the fine I had no right of objection. Much later I was to find out that information was clearly incorrect. Big mistake I lost the money and gained demerit points.
fines should be rated as a percentage of people’s income, a fine could be a huge amount to a pensioner or a piss in the ocean for a company executive!
I also had an issue with the camera I was following a semi trailer and it stopped just past the red light. The lights were green when I entered but the truck blocked my way and I was just inside the lights when it turned red. The NSW traffic people are law unto themselves and told me I should have stopped and made sure the road was clear. How did I know the truck was going to dtop