Got fined while browsing OzBargain on Pitt St, Sydney

illumination on 08/09/2017 - 00:13
Last edited 08/09/2017 - 16:45

Yep, you read that right!

Ok, let me be clearer. Apologies for the clickbait title, although it is factually not incorrect!

I was browsing Ozbargain on Pitt St, Sydney, whilst in the drivers seat of my car in a line of traffic. There were lots of cars and traffic was not moving. The engine was on.

I had just picked up a mate down the road (near ANZ Home). As the cars weren't moving, I thought I'd just quickly catch up on comments from this recent Motorola G5 Plus deal which was a phone I was contemplating as being my replacement for the phone I was using, my Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 purchased from this deal. I was on my way out to the city for this deal and had intended to purchase Westfield Gift Cards and Coles Myer Gift Cards. I was also thinking of going to the AMEX lounge for some free food/drinks but ultimately didn't because lines were too long. I was charging my Xiaomi with this car charger. Had my navigation phone held by a phone holder from this deal. Was gonna park at Wilson parking from the credit I got from this, but my mate had free parking in the city, so I was actually on my way to park there. I had also just pumped petrol on Sunday, taking advantage of this targeted deal from Coles Express, and I paid using Coles Myer Gift Cards purchased from this First Choice Liquor AMEX Statement Credit Deal. In fact, I pumped 32L of V-Power this time because of this competition.

Ok, enough of the deal talk..

The actual story

I was browsing Ozbargain and my window was half open and all of a sudden cop came out of nowhere and said "Hi, just letting you know that you're being recorded committing a driving offence, please give me your licence", the whole time whilst his iPhone was recording in my direction. I was actually just in shock at the time and it took me about two seconds to process that it was a cop who had caught me red-handed using my phone. I then slowly got out my licence and he checked my carplate (and I presume took a photo). He proceeded to take a photo of my licence and advised me that the damage would be 4 demerit points and a $330 fine to come in the mail. I asked (long shot, I know) if I could be left off and he simply said, "no, sorry, I can't do that." and I just thought in my head "damnit I know you're just doing your job…but.."

Just to be clear - I know I'm in the wrong. I just wanted to share this with you guys because I thought the fact that I got fined while bloody browsing Ozbargain was kinda funny and such a "me" thing. It was also what I was doing, what I was using, that made me think - geez, this fine has got Ozbargain written all over it. I'm also a little bit sad about it so I wanted to kinda "let it out" but as I said, I know I've committed a driving offence and I don't really have a leg to stand on.. but gee, $330. Bloody expensive hey?

TLDR

  • Was browsing Ozbargain whilst in my car, stationary (in a line of traffic/red light) on Pitt St, Sydney.
  • Cop saw me. Came out of nowhere and was recording me committing the offence. Asked for my licence and took a photo of it
  • Advised the "damage" would be 4 demerit points and $330. Will arrive by mail.
  • Sad :( Just wanted to share with you guys!
Automotive

Comments

      • thepigs on 10/09/2017 - 07:10

        Would you get fined if you were holding a street directory?

        • Toons on 10/09/2017 - 13:21

          Well considering you can actually convert your centre console to take an Ipad, i'd agree however he was holding it in the middle of steering wheel, 6&9 with both hands. Is dangerous you don't really have a good hold of either. and some cars that would also stop you from hitting horn.

          I think it was the fact of what it actually was more than anything else to do with it, as ridiculous as it looked he might have actually been able to fight the charge, as you per your example and you could clearly see he was using it as a street directory in the video.

          I remember people photocopying a page of UBD and doing the same placing it in the centre of the steering wheel and that was never deemed bad

  • onetwothreefour on 08/09/2017 - 06:18
    +6

    You didn't get fined for browsing Ozbargain.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 08/09/2017 - 15:07
      +9

      You wouldn't steal a car.

      • Cletus vandamme on 08/09/2017 - 16:38

        What happens if you would though?

        • ronnknee on 08/09/2017 - 16:42
          +5

          Enjoy your new digital car!

    • ronnknee on 08/09/2017 - 16:37

      Yes, he didn't.

      "Got fined while browsing OzBargain" and "Got fined for browsing OzBargain" have two completely different meanings. Check which one OP used.

      • illumination on 08/09/2017 - 16:40
        +1

        Oh true.

        I didn't even think to reply cause I was like "yea, onetwothree is correct" lol

      • onetwothreefour on 08/09/2017 - 18:33

        Check out the revisions, he definitely said he was fined for browsing Ozbargain.

    • RockyRaccoon on 08/09/2017 - 08:01
      +2

      The issues you raise

      I've also seen twits driving while looking at their phones and being very dangerous

      Thats because, in this so called police state we dont have enough eyes watching every transgression.

      So to fix this issue you have then we need more police.

      So your dream of less police, doesnt match your indignant rant

      • EightImmortals on 08/09/2017 - 09:13
        +6

        I dream of less police, I also dream of more common sense and personal responsibility. I have many dreams it seems.

        I still maintain that there should be discretion applied for individual transgressions. Was reading about a guy in QLD who got fined for leaving his car window down, in a carpark. Apparently the 'law' stated that it is verbotten to leave your car windows down more than 5cm. When they asked the cop how he measured the distance he said 'I have a good eye'. That was good enough for the state and the kid got hit with a fine, about $100 from memory, cha-ching. The letter of the law is overriding the spirit of the law so if the OP was looking at his phone but traffic wasn't moving (how else could the cops knock on his window?)then a friendly warning would have been sufficient (imo). Friendly warnings wont get the state out of bankruptcy though.

        • RockyRaccoon on 08/09/2017 - 16:24

          I still maintain that there should be discretion applied for individual transgressions

          There is. We only have the Op's opinion here in this case. We have no idea what actually happened. Cops do use discretion, and likewise that discretion can be wrong for or against. There are also stories about cops taking "no action" on complaints etc

          Cops are human, they also apply laws that like you said dont make sense. Did the "kid" produce evidence that the window was down less than 5cm? Like all laws there is a line drawn to define something. Someone .00499 alcohol in their bloodstream, is just as impaired as someone .005.

          Someone going 61 is just as dangerous as someone going 60. However the former gets fined the latter is deemed as "safe"

          Your dreams are just that, until one day the nightmare of there being no cop there when you need them.

        • crfnx on 08/09/2017 - 20:48

          @RockyRaccoon: I was under the impression the dream more to remove the need for 'cop's because society is now great. Not to actually remove the people who's job it is to try police the silly people breaking the laws.

        • RockyRaccoon on 08/09/2017 - 21:36

          @crfnx: Maybe but I interpreted

          I dream of less police

          as wanting less police.. But hey English is my only language so … 😀

  • [Deactivated] on 08/09/2017 - 06:52

    Why you break the law?

  • Drifter on 08/09/2017 - 07:13
    +18

    The cop who busted you did a wonderful job. You absolutely deserve the fine and demerit points.

    • soaringphoenix on 08/09/2017 - 20:40
      -8

      Dogmatic sheep with absolute views of right and wrong based on what they've been told to believe. This fine isn't about safety (if the NSW PD cared about safety, they'd be removing speed cameras on roads that have shown statistically significant increases in accident rates pre- and post- introduction of the cameras when controlling for other variables). This is pure revenue raising, and you arguably don't deserve the fine, nor the demerit points. Sorry to hear about the incident, but even more sorry to hear the inflexibility of views regarding the matter.

      • Drifter on 09/09/2017 - 07:48
        +4

        Dogmatic sheep with absolute views of right and wrong based on what they've been told to believe.

        And you are the stubborn mule who is always anti-police because you just want to be different.

        I can make ill-informed assumptions about you too.

        • soaringphoenix on 10/09/2017 - 09:24

          I'd position myself as pro-evidence based policy rather than anti-police. The police naturally serve a positive effect in nearly all aspects of a community. It's just difficult to appreciate, for example speed cameras, when you have studies stating "In this study, the placement or removal of interstate highway speed cameras did not independently affect the incidence of motor vehicle collisions." This is one of many studies, and there are of course some findings that suggest the opposite (meaning that speed cameras can serve negative, neutral, and positive effects, and that placement and continuation should be based on site statistics).

          All that aside, I welcome your opposing view and contribution to the discussion. I'm open to the idea that perhaps I am or am not a stubborn mule, as I am open to the idea that police policies are or are not beneficial.

  • pegaxs on 08/09/2017 - 07:35
    +5

    You get a thumbs up from me OP. It's a nice change to read a story about being fined on OzB and not have to wade through the "this is unfair/unjust" garbage people usually go on with, followed up with the inevitable "how do I get out of it?" questions. Good on you for just owning up to it, chalking it up to bad luck and moving on.

    Ironically, I only asked the question last week on this forum on why, with fines/demerits so high, do people use their phone while driving and say that even I have been guilty of a quick peek at the phone while at a standstill in traffic. It's like the police are just looking for easy targets. It isn't the guy stopped in traffic I'm worried about, it's the inattentive one at highway speed that cause me the most concern.

    • tranter on 08/09/2017 - 08:06

      To be fair some of the other posts on OzBargain are not so clear-cut as this one.

      We also shouldn't be giving people praise for using their phone whilst driving.

    • RockyRaccoon on 08/09/2017 - 08:07
      +1

      Without a screen shot, the OZB excuse sounds like an attempt to justify a poor action. And obviouly the copper wasn't an Ozbargainer

      As for stopped at traffic, how many times have you missed the lights because the car in front was slow taking off (not paying attention). There have been a number of road rage incidents purely because of that. So its not that it's an easy target.

    • callum9999 on 09/09/2017 - 06:20
      +1

      How are the police meant to know that the guy using their phone in traffic isnt also the guy "just having a quick peek" while driving at highway speeds? Fining the former will also discourage the latter.

      Not to mention people often arent as safe as they believe they are. I've seen countless times where the traffic has suddenly started moving again so the driver quickly accelerates without looking properly - what if a pedestrian was just about to walk infront of them, for example?

  • Nutrino on 08/09/2017 - 08:02
    +7

    Get your hand off it!!

  • Findo on 08/09/2017 - 08:14
    +11

    Call your credit card concierge and get them to read out OzBargain deals for you. I've called them for simple things like bus timetables and the weather. I've been told they can literally do anything that's legal for you, as long as you're willing to pay for services they acquire on your behalf.

    • EightImmortals on 08/09/2017 - 10:10
      +1

      I was wondering what those guys were for?

      • Findo on 08/09/2017 - 10:46
        +9

        They're useful for getting hard to get tickets to events and booking booked out restaurants. You can use them to book flights and stuff too, my old man does that but it costs too much when you can do it yourself.

        I use them for stuff I would ask Siri.

        • Ughhh on 08/09/2017 - 21:56
          +1

          I got them to find me the best deal on rental car for New Zealand. Their suggestions were far from "average deal".

        • Findo on 08/09/2017 - 21:59

          @Ughhh: I don't think anyone uses their credit card concierge to save money, only to save time or to source hard to get things

        • Ughhh on 08/09/2017 - 22:02

          @niggard:

          Does it not take time to Google and find the right stuff?

        • Findo on 08/09/2017 - 22:18

          @Ughhh: my old man uses his card concierge to book flights, because work flights can be claimed as an expense and/or his time is more valuable than searching for the cheapest flight. He mostly uses it when he's driving and needs to book a flight there and then. I suppose it's like having a PA, except not personal.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 08/09/2017 - 15:19
      +2

      I've been told they can literally do anything that's legal for you,

      Anything? 🤔

      • Findo on 08/09/2017 - 15:22

        I suppose if a cardholder was too embarrassed to hire a hooker he could get the concierge to do it, but that's worse than doing it yourself…

        • Scrooge McDuck on 08/09/2017 - 15:23
          +1

          Why pay to hire a hooker when the concierge can talk you off for free!

        • Findo on 08/09/2017 - 15:26
          +3

          @Scrooge McDuck: I'll try convince a drunk mate to ask his credit card concierge for sexy talk tonight. I'll report back if successful. Hopefully I won't have to buy too many rounds before I can convince him.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 08/09/2017 - 15:28
          +2

          @niggard:

          Do you have another credit card?

          Could ask a second concierge to do it while you listen in on a conference call. They might really hit it off!

        • Findo on 08/09/2017 - 15:36
          +1

          @Scrooge McDuck: if I do this with my own card I'll never be able to bank with that bank again out of shame!

        • Scrooge McDuck on 08/09/2017 - 15:38
          +2

          @niggard:

          Ask your concierge for the number of someone who isn't such a big chicken!

        • ronnknee on 08/09/2017 - 16:43

          How about asking two concierge reps to talk to each other?

  • fruit on 08/09/2017 - 08:26

    You got fined for being an idiot not for browsing OzBargain

  • Rumbaar on 08/09/2017 - 08:47
    +1

    Worse thing you get less for greater offenses. Hopefully they'll have the money raised in these ventures used to fight things like violent home invasions.

  • pikapika on 08/09/2017 - 08:50

    Should advertised to the 5-0 that OzBargain is the place to be at all times cause the deals are amazing..I bet he would of let you off then..You could of enlightened him! ;)

    (On a serious note…Oops! I never ever touch my phone while driving..ever…In fact if anyone calls me while I'm driving you'll just have to wait)

  • myusername on 08/09/2017 - 09:02
    +4

    so you got fined for using your mobile device whilst in a vehicle

  • altomic on 08/09/2017 - 09:11
    +2

    change the title to -"fined for using mobile whilst driving"

  • plmko on 08/09/2017 - 09:26
    +3

    With all those dumb car phone holders posted on OzB you should have bought one by now and avoided the fine. Very disapointed in this story.

    • illumination on 08/09/2017 - 10:52

      Had my navigation phone held by a phone holder from this deal

      I did have a "dumb" car phone holder!

      … but this was my other phone.

      Besides, having the car phone holder itself doesn't mean I can't still commit the offence. Isn't the offence as long as you are touching the phone, even if mounted, it's against the law?

      • abb on 08/09/2017 - 13:40

        http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/mobilepho…

        You're allowed to use a driving aid if the phone is in a fixed cradle. It strikes me as hard to prove exactly what you're using the phone for…

        • KBZ on 08/09/2017 - 22:12

          Well judging that the cop walked right next to his window filming OP. Then We're pretty sure he could see it was OZB open and not GPS.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/09/2017 - 09:33
    -4

    Sucked in. Live & learn

  • ThithLord on 08/09/2017 - 09:53

    I'm a little confused - was the Policeman in plain clothes? Did he identify himself with a badge? You don't need to identify yourself at all unless they identify themselves first, my man.

  • railspider on 08/09/2017 - 10:31
    +3

    Going to need to take advantage of A LOT of bargains to make up for that fine OP

  • Savas on 08/09/2017 - 11:36
    +2

    Safety is number 1 priority, bargains come second.

    • Lil B on 08/09/2017 - 15:24
      +1

      Not in my books, ha!

      Guess I need to sort out my priorities…

    • Scrooge McDuck on 08/09/2017 - 15:26
      +1

      Safety is number 1 priority, bargains come second.

      Hacking third?

      • Savas on 08/09/2017 - 16:02

        wot sup ebri1? wilcum bak 2 mi labura2ri! sifty ez nonbr 1 prorti!

  • currentfad on 08/09/2017 - 12:04
    +4

    Should've paid the fine on the spot with your eneloops.

  • dji1111111 on 08/09/2017 - 12:22
    +1

    Fed up with people using mobile phone in their car and I can't understand their mentality.
    Why do they have to risk accident/fines/injuring others over meaningless things like browsing facebook, instagram and ozbargain in this case?
    It's not an emergency and it's not important.
    Seriously it can't wait until you get to your destination?
    These people have serious issues if they can't live without touching their phone for the duration of their trip. Seek therapy for mobile phone addiction.

    • currentfad on 08/09/2017 - 12:49

      Yep it's an addiction. Just like how people can't get off their devices at social events/the dinner table.."Let me snapchat/instagram this first!" How about no???

    • abb on 08/09/2017 - 13:42
      +3

      In OP's defense, when you're in heavy traffic that moves ahead 200m every 2 minutes, I don't think it really endangers anyone by looking at your phone while the car is stopped with the handbrake on… (Maybe some risk to yourself from road-rage if you don't notice the queue moving quickly enough!)

      • TheRealCher on 09/09/2017 - 16:26

        Get out of the car. Start walking. Ozbargain for a good tow truck and wait at the nearest beverage service point

  • haha on 08/09/2017 - 12:23

    Opened sooooooo many tabs and my phone crashed!

  • [Deactivated] on 08/09/2017 - 12:43
    +4

    Ask him they're on Cashrewards.

  • sergun on 08/09/2017 - 13:11
    -6

    So now that you're sad you want others to pay back your fine?

    • jazeng on 08/09/2017 - 13:32
      +1

      how did you jump to that conclusion??

  • Dr Techno on 08/09/2017 - 13:21
    +1

    If you leave the country you can get out of paying the fine, but you may not want to return… just another option :P

  • jazeng on 08/09/2017 - 13:30

    which kampung u from a boss

  • smashed on 08/09/2017 - 13:36
    +2

    People think that it is ok to check in queues but the reality is that they then pull 10metres on thinking they won't crash but they miss other things such as cyclists legally filtering between cars or pedestrians walking across.
    It is scary to see how many drivers are not paying 100% attention.

    People are in control of something in excess of 1 tonne and should consider the implications if a child runs out etc. You won't spot these things if you are not 100% attentive.

    • love2buy on 10/09/2017 - 15:15

      1 tonne is only the weight of about 12 people.

  • scepticpsych on 08/09/2017 - 13:40
    +2

    Total clickbait title, and it is factually incorrect. Then again, it seems like you enjoy looking for attention

    • illumination on 08/09/2017 - 13:43
      +1

      Total clickbait title

      I know. I even acknowledge it in the second line of the description.

      it is factually incorrect.

      How so?

      • scepticpsych on 08/09/2017 - 13:50
        +1

        You got fined for using the phone while driving. That's a non-story. If you can show me a photo of the fine that says "$330 penalty for using ozbargain" - I will pay it for you.

        • illumination on 08/09/2017 - 13:52
          +3

          You got fined for using the phone while driving.

          I know I did and I'm not trying to dispute that. However, it is a fact that I was browsing Ozbargain on my phone at the time. I understand what I was doing on my phone is irrelevant (to the offence), but that is what I was doing at the time and it is therefore factual.

          You and I both know the fine won't say "$330 penalty for using Ozbargain" and I never said anything to suggest that this would be what the fine would specifically be for.

  • elgrande on 08/09/2017 - 13:50
    +7

    Just pay the fine with this money:
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/243666

    • illumination on 08/09/2017 - 13:53

      Haha but I've returned that money now!!

  • TheRealCher on 08/09/2017 - 13:54

    If this was twin peaks you'd be in another dimension talking backwards… All things being what they are, it could have been worse…

  • Looking4Bargians on 08/09/2017 - 15:24
    +6

    So all your savings from OZB gone in 1 fine.

    • dajackal on 08/09/2017 - 15:47
      +2

      better rack up some more savings to make up for the losses

  • lddv04 on 08/09/2017 - 15:55

    Coming soon to an OzBargain Forum near you: "I was fined while using my phone at the lights, what can I do to get out of the fine?" ;-)

  • isidore12 on 08/09/2017 - 15:57
    -3

    RTA rule is perfectly clear, you touched your phone while driving, you get a fine. You need to be parked to be allowed to use your phone.

    • illumination on 08/09/2017 - 16:02
      +3

      I know. Which part of my post suggests it was unclear?

  • Pratty on 08/09/2017 - 16:12

    Not incorrect = correct?

  • whooah1979 on 08/09/2017 - 16:35
    +1

    Op thanks for being a good sport about this and not whinge.

    Give us your PayPal email and we'll chip in dollar to help you the fine. We'll double that if you can find the vid that the police officer recorded and post it on YouTube.

    • illumination on 08/09/2017 - 16:36
      +2

      I appreciate the gesture, but I didn't post this because I wanted money from anyone here haha

      Also you're speaking on behalf of everyone here, but I'm sure some (many?) will be very unwilling to chip in when it's 100% my responsibility. Look at some of the comments above!

      But, I actually do want to see the footage. I think it'd be hilarious (stupid) seeing some dude browsing Ozbargain in his car getting fined for using his phone LOL

      • whooah1979 on 08/09/2017 - 16:42
        +1

        Hahah why?

        Call it what goes around comes around. Or it could be that you're the first poster that we've come across didn't try and blame someone else.

        Our offer still stands.
        Thanks.

  • ShannonN on 08/09/2017 - 16:50
    -2

    Its probably a very common thing given ppl think that once your stationary its ok to look at the phone.

    OP doesn't state his age but knowing lots of younger ppl are lost without the phone and MUST hold it close at all times and report everything they do, its not surprising the police have latched onto a cash cow.

    Myself I think the fines for driver using a mobile whilst the car is in motion should be 2000 for first offense, loss of license for 3 yrs and impounding and sale of the car and phone.

    For the op type of offense, confiscate the phone for 48 hours and make the op do community service every weekend for 6 mths without having his phone active whilst doing the service

    • ninetyNineCents on 08/09/2017 - 21:29
      +1

      , its not surprising the police have latched onto a cash cow.

      You obviously have no idea how much it costs to keep a policeperson and their vehicle in the street, its hundreds of dollars of an hour. THey would have to be writing fines non stop to come out with a profit after costs.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/09/2017 - 18:21

    Are you still not allowed to touch it if it is on a windscreen mount? What if I'm sitting at the lights and looking at the phone when it is not held in my hand and on a handsfree? Fines in Australia are bloody ridiculous. is IS dangerous to text drive though worst is parking fines…

  • clement1986 on 08/09/2017 - 20:02
    -1

    read your law, pay the fine, and move on, period.

    If you are not sure, as long as you are not securely parked with engine off, do not interact whatsoever with your phone. Life is not just about your phone…

  • cosmos on 08/09/2017 - 20:34
    +1

    Side effects of using mobile phone while in drivers seat and engine running. That's expensive browsing.
    You just were unlucky.

    A bitter reality for all of those (including me) who want to check their phones while driving, not worth it.

  • ireadtermsofuse on 08/09/2017 - 21:02

    Was it a cop dressed in casual? I've seen some loitering around on the footpaths tricking people into thinking they're just a random member of the public and when they see someone using their phone, they quickly strike

  • moo on 08/09/2017 - 21:13

    Thanks for growing a pair of balls and admitting to being wrong rather than trying to weasel out of it. Thumbs up :)

  • ninetyNineCents on 08/09/2017 - 21:27

    If a car engine is on, then your driving it even if you have you foot on the brake etc.

    Good on the police for fining you, if you want to play with your phone, you should have turned the engine off.

    • illumination on 10/09/2017 - 17:06

      Can you give me your name so I can my fine is $329.01 instead? :D

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join