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Why hundreds of speeding tickets are set to be overturned


If you’ve been caught out by a speed camera in South Australia recently, don’t be too quick to fork out the cash.

Thousands of speeding fines have been thrown into doubt after police were forced to dump their arsenal of laser speed guns because of a problem with the paperwork.

More than a hundred fines have already been scrapped and the floodgates have opened, with anyone who’s been pinged, now able to challenge it.

When Jack Parry was pulled over for speeding back in may, something didn’t add up.

SA motorists who have been slapped with a fine have now been invited to challenge it. Image: 7 News
SA motorists who have been slapped with a fine have now been invited to challenge it. Image: 7 News

“I was probably maybe doing 61 or 60 in a 60 zone,” Mr Parry told 7 News.

The officer, armed with a laser gun, claimed Mr Parry was travelling at 74km/h in a 60 zone and slapped him with an $840 fine and three demerit points.

It was also a breach of his Ps, which means a six month loss of licence that kicks in next month – not ideal when you’re a delivery driver.

“I’ve just got my company up and running doing jobs on the daily and if I don’t got a licence I’m gonna have to go through the struggle of trying to find someone else to drive for me,” he explained.

He’s now holding out hope that his fine and suspension will be overturned following landmark court rulings where the accuracy of the devices couldn’t be proven.

SA Police Superintendent Stuart Mclean said they invite anyone who feels they have been affected by the decision to come forward and write to them – a suggestion Mr Parry says is insufficient.

Thousands of speeding fines have been thrown into doubt after police were forced to dump their arsenal of laser speed guns because of a problem with the paperwork. Image: 7 News
Thousands of speeding fines have been thrown into doubt after police were forced to dump their arsenal of laser speed guns because of a problem with the paperwork. Image: 7 News
Jack Parry claims he was slapped with an $840 fine for travelling at 61km/h in a 60 zone. Image: 7 News
Jack Parry claims he was slapped with an $840 fine for travelling at 61km/h in a 60 zone. Image: 7 News

“They should be tracking us down and sorting it out themselves because it’s their problem,” Mr Parry added.

Police can’t confirm how many fines might be in doubt – but lawyer’s warn it’s a huge can of worms.

“Over the years it would be many many thousands,” Michael Woods explained.

“For how many years would it go back? It’s going to be a nightmare for them.”

Police say there is no way of knowing whether you have been pinged by a hand held radar gun or one of the hand held laser guns in question, leaving the floodgates open for an extraordinary number of enquiries.

The SA Government have acted swiftly. They plan to introduce legislation on Tuesday to correct the issue.