Driver's $544 fine for 'risky' red light act divides Aussies

A driver’s hefty $544 fine for entering an “intersection after the light turned red” has sparked a fierce debate among Aussies. The anonymous motorist’s supposed error was recently captured on a roadside camera in Sydney’s CBD.

The “photographic evidence” reportedly alleges the driver was turning right and has therefore gone through a red light.

The driver argued online on Friday they did nothing wrong and were simply waiting for the cars ahead to move forward so they could go straight through the green light. However, the city has ordered them to cough up the dough, claiming the motorist was trying to turn right despite an obvious red arrow.

In response to a request to review the fine, Revenue NSW said while it acknowledges the driver’s comments it is unable to cancel the fee because the car is clearly seen entering “the intersection after the light turned red”.

“Red light cameras only activate when a vehicle crosses the white stop line after the lights have turned red,” it states. “The stop line defines the beginning of the intersection, therefore, when a vehicle crosses the stop line, the vehicle is deemed as entering the intersection.”

Revenue NSW said “leniency is not appropriate” for the specific offence “as it is serious due to the potential safety risk to pedestrians and other road users”.

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Heated discussion erupts over $544 red light fine

Unhappy with their response, the driver posted the images taken by the roadside camera on Facebook to see if others believed it was worth taking the matter to court — igniting a heated discussion.

Some Aussies argued the motorist clearly had their car’s right indicator on and should “pay the fine and suck it up”. But others didn't see it that way and said it could be worth putting up a fight.

“I’d dispute it. I can’t see how they can fine you for an offence you didn’t commit, you can clearly see you had no intentions of turning right,” one person commented.

“You’re are a goose because you were certainly in the wrong lane and I’m sure it was clearly marked as you approached the intersection, but technically I don’t know what fine if any that carries but it’s certainly not the same offence as allegedly running a red light to make a right hand turn,” they added.

Others encouraged the driver to “make sure [they] actually went straight” before taking it further as footage will ultimately reveal the truth.

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