Postman handed 'ridiculous' $330 fine for riding motorbike on footpath
A postman has questioned how he is supposed to do his job after he was fined $330 for riding on the footpath.
Mick Jackson, a casual contractor for Australia Post, was doing his delivery rounds in Mannering Park on the NSW Central Coast when he was pulled up by a police officer, just three days before Christmas last year.
Despite wearing hi-vis uniform and riding a visibly marked Australia Post bike, Mr Jackson was slapped with the offence of “drive on footpath”.
His lawyer, Doug Eaton of Effective Legal Solutions, told Yahoo7 News his client was baffled by the exchange with the officer who Mr Eaton said “was clearly having a bad day”.
“I’ve never really seen anything like this before, it’s ridiculous… if police are going to do this, mail won’t be delivered,” Mr Eaton said.
“There is an exemption for postmen riding on the footpath up to 10km/h.
“The notice said he was travelling at or about 10km/h.”
However, the bizarre exchange didn’t stop there, with the confused postie dealt another fine just moments later.
“He (Mick) said hang on how can I do my job and rode straight back to the post office, parked outside the post office, with mail still on his bike,” Mr Eaton explained.
He said the police officer had followed him back to the post office and fined him a further $200 for parking on the footpath.
Rather than paying the infringement notices, Mr Jackson sought legal assistance to challenge the decision in court.
He pleaded guilty under section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act, which allows a court that finds you guilty of an offence to discharge you without recording a conviction, meaning he did not have to pay either fine.
Mr Jackson was also handed a smaller third fine for driving without his motorcycle helmet strap done up, which he did not challenge in court.
An Australia Post spokesperson said that it is legal for their employees to ride on the footpath.
NSW Police declined Yahoo7 News’ request for comment.
