Twist for 'hero' Aussie teen who warns drivers about hidden speed cameras
An Aussie teen known for exposing hidden speed cameras in NSW has revealed plans to build an "army" of "speed camera crusaders" to join his fight.
Beau Jackson first took to the streets eight months ago in a hi-vis vest and displayed a home-made "speed camera ahead" sign to help drivers avoid what he calls "unfair" speeding fines.
"I had mates get done for just three kilometres over the speed limit," Mr Jackson explained to Yahoo News Australia.
"I've seen the mobile cameras parked sneakily on the side of the road and I thought, man that's not right. Someone has to do something about it. Innocent people are getting done for barely any Ks over."
The 17-year-old has been using the community-based traffic and navigation app Waze to track down mobile speed camera locations across the NSW Central Coast, Hunter region and parts of Sydney.
He then sets up nearby the camera with a warning sign for hours at a time, prompting drivers to slow down.
"I've made a rule that I cannot leave until they leave," Mr Jackson said of the mobile camera units, adding that motorists often show their gratitude by honking their horns.
'Sneaky' tactics slammed
From February this year, the NSW government vowed to install new signs on the roof of all mobile speed camera vehicles to inform motorists their speed had been checked.
Mr Jackson slammed this move as "pointless", claiming many mobile camera operators still park in "sneaky" and "obscured" spots, such as close to other cars, at the bottom of a hill or on a bend.
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"It's very frustrating. They think they can get away with it. It's not a warning sign and if it's obscured then it's useless," he said.
"I'm doing what they should be doing and at least my signs you can see from kilometres away."
Unfairly targeted?
Mr Jackson received a $250 fine for roadside littering the day after his story gained national attention on Channel 9's A Current Affair in March.
He plans to appeal, saying any littering accusation has no merit as he never leaves his sign, or any other rubbish, behind.
As for why he was targeted, he told A Current Affair that he believes speed camera operators fabricated the littering claim as payback for "costing them revenue".
Police, meanwhile, have no issue with Mr Jackson's roadside activities, as he isn't doing anything illegal and is helping to keep traffic under the speed limit.
Growing support
Documenting his movements on social media, Mr Jackson has attracted a growing number of supporters, with more than 70,000 followers on TikTok.
Among those backing his campaign are a number of small businesses, including Traffic Control Products on the Central Coast, which donated 30 new signs to his cause.
Mr Jackson remains undeterred by his littering fine and plans to tap into his growing fan base to expand his "crusade" statewide.
"This is a priority in my life right now. My goal by the end of the year is to have at least 50-100 camera crusaders in NSW," he divulged to Yahoo News Australia.
"I will be starting an army. I want people in Orange with a sign, someone in Muswellbrook, someone in western Sydney, all around NSW, Wollongong, everywhere."
Transport for NSW has been contacted for comment.
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