Red Light Camera Fine, Did Camera Stuff up or Am I in The Wrong?

A few days ago the red light camera at the Woodville Road, Parramatta Road, M4 and Church Street intersection flashed me.

I was originally in the right lane turning right and then decided I want to go straight instead. I was the first car in the right lane, I then changed lanes as I crossed the intersection while the traffic light was green to go straight but red if you are turning right. Blue dot is me, white line was my original route black line is the route I took. Happened at about 11pm when there was no other traffic.

Diagram:

Poll Options

  • 85
    I made a mistake
  • 6
    Camera stuffed up

Comments

  • +3

    You triggered the camera by moving forward in the right lane when the right turn arrow was red.
    You’ll be OK cos the camera will catch you going straight ahead on a green.
    Best to lay off the booze and stuff at the weekend.

  • +3

    i crossed the intersection while the traffic light was green to go straight but red if u are turning right.

    You entered the intersection from your current lane while the light was still red. Don’t be surprised if you get a fine in the mail.
    https://tinyurl.com/y3dtoax6

  • +8

    By going from the 'right turn lane' into the 'straight ahead lane' it could be said that you changed lanes in an intersection, which is not allowed.
    You could probably argue against it, but you most likely will cop a fine.

    • +1

      Changing lanes in an intersection is not illegal.

  • +4

    Did this exact same thing once, at a different intersection. Camera flashed but never received a fine. YMMV, of course.

  • +1

    Should have reversed first before changing lanes.
    .

  • Tell them you had to swerve for a pixie in purple boots with a blue smurfs schtroumpf cap running at the crossing without due care chased by a bald headed hatless angry blue smurf with a knife.

  • +6

    Disobey direction arrow on road and proceed through red traffic signal.

  • +2

    If the infringement is for disobeying the traffic signal (no right turn), which you did not do, make that your objection. While, as above, it is an infringement to change lanes at an intersection, the camera may not be satisfactory evidence of that infringement. My response to a traffic signal infringement would be 'i did not disobey the signal', make no admission of changing lanes, and see if they want the hassle of making a changing lanes infringement stick - you not doing one thing, is not necessarily evidence of you doing the other.

    • It'll be a penalty notice so if you just say 'I did not disobey the signal' and provide no context or explanation the penalty notice will stick like glue. Its not like Court where the Onus would be on the prosecution to establish the elements of the offence.

      If a penalty notice comes, OP will need to view the photographs from the camera, which can be done easily online nowadays. If it can be established from the photos that OP did not turn right on a right arrow then he is in luck.

      Very unlikely a fresh penalty notice will be issued at any rate.

      Also for a further OZbargain strat, do your appeal at the end of the penalty notice appeal period. Limitation period is 6 months on traffic offences, so by the time you get the penalty notice, get a reminder and appeal it at the last available opportunity, then get a decision/review - the 6 months could well be up and there is likely no opportunity to issue a fresh penalty notice.

      • i would have expected the same in NSW….
        in SA you can deny the infringement (obviously as part of a review), and if the notice is still pursued you can have the validity of the notice determined in court by a magistrate. Where the the photo's do not reflect the infringement, they are not likely to let the matter go to court.

    • Changing lanes in an intersection is not an offence. Failing to stop for a red traffic signal and proceed contrary to painted directional arrows, however, are.

  • What you did was illegal anyway, but it wasn't a "running a red light" offence so if you get a fine for that, should be able to fight it.

  • +8

    Hahaha… nice one. Pretty sure you can’t go straight from the right turning lane. Off to read the road rules, see what I can find…

    Edit:

    92: Traffic lane arrows
    (1) If a driver is driving in a marked lane at an intersection (except a roundabout) and there are traffic lane arrows applying to the lane, the driver must—
    (a) if the arrows indicate a single direction—drive in that direction, or
    (b) if the arrows indicate 2 or more directions—drive in one of those directions.

    You were in a lane that had a "turn right only" ground marking. Added to that, this lane had a red turn signal. So you ignored the traffic light and drive off anyway, and you also ignored the lanes ground marking. Way to double down on your traffic infringements, OP.

  • +1

    If you get a fine in the mail, ask to see the photos. You can usually look them up online depending on your state.

    Then argue your case and see how you go.

  • If they send you a photo going through straight ahead through a green light just play dumb and challenge it.

  • Happened at about 11pm when there was no other traffic.

    Doesn't matter, laws still apply

    originally in the right lane turning right and then decided I want to go straight instead

    Your 'lane' was the turning lane and you exited this lane on a red light, triggering the camera.

    As to if you get a fine, well most likely you will. You can try writing a letter, but normally on red light cameras they are pretty strict and rarely side with you.

  • This guy got off in Victoria doing the reverse of what you did https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/326618

    • They didn't get "off". They requested an official warning. There's a difference.

      OP can follow this procedure if they have a good driving history. If they don't, nearly guarantee they'll withdraw the incorrect infringement code and issue with the correct one.

  • +1

    I suspect you're technically in the wrong, you crossed the lines in a turning lane at a red light. From memory the penalty is triggered by just by crossing the lines, the fact you didn't turn right won't be relevant. If you've got a day spare take it to court and plead part X (which is a guilty plea but no $ or points due to the circumstances). The judge may look favourably on the other circumstances.

  • When you get the fine, send an email review and it will be CANCELLED. I don't agree with it, but that's the rule. PS: You should be done for going against a directional arrow as well,l but that's another issue.

    • Not unless an officer witnesses the offence. Camera Detected Offences by law are only Speeding, Red Light running, using a mobile phone in NSW, and driving into a tunnel with a placard indicating a placard load in QLD.

  • +1

    This has happened to me before. There's probably some rule making it illegal, but I never received a fine.

  • Hey, did you end up getting a fine? Or got away with it?

  • +1

    Hey guys, any updates? did anyone get any fines?

  • Any updates? I literally did the same thing after work 😥

    • Did you get fine? Happened to me just now :(

      • Did you get a fine? Happened to me as well just today:(

        • +1

          I didn’t yet. Been over a month. Good luck. Seems me and two others this happened to didn’t get fined.

          • @grasstown: Can confirm that I still have not gotten the fine yet and it's been over a month.

            • @swagma: Did you see any flashed?stupidly i just done same things 😩

              • @tootoo: Got flashed but no fine! Hope you didn't get one either!

  • Same happening to me. Camera flashed twice. Did any of you got fine in mail?

    • Camera flashed but no fine for me

      • Same. No fine

  • cameras are not designed to catch the turning vehicles (left or right) so you will be fine.

    • Thanks. Hope for the best. I was in right lane with red arrow and then went straight which had green light.

  • +1

    I did this before but at the Elizabeth/Victoria St intersection in Melbourne CBD. Same situation but I turned left, lights flashed but no fine. It has been 6 months so I assumed the review officer had a look and was okay with it

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