Motorists in the ACT have been dobbing in their fellow drivers, sending police dash cam footage that has led to 54 fines being issued.
The uptick in vigilante behaviour comes after ACT Policing expanded its online reporting capability in May to include a dangerous driving category.
More than 360 dangerous driving reports have been received by police, including for road rage, carelessness, mobile phone usage and seat belt offences.
Of these, 167 drivers were issued traffic infringement notices, 66 drivers issued cautions or warnings, with 6 matters still being investigated.
Fifty-four drivers were fined for failing to stop at a red light as a result of dash cam footage given to police.
‘Eyes anywhere, anytime’
Over half of all collisions in the ACT occur at intersections.
This is the statistic behind greater road law enforcement efforts in the nation’s capital.
The ACT’s Officer in Charge of Road Policing, Detective Inspector Mark Steel, said dash cam footage allows police to have eyes anywhere, anytime.
“While police are happy to see so many people are already using the online portal, we are very disappointed to see the volume of poor driving behaviour occurring daily,” he said.
Over half of all collisions in the ACT occur at intersections, police said. Source: Getty / Alex Wang
“Drivers who don’t obey traffic lights and signs can end up with serious injuries or in some cases deceased.
“Accelerating at a yellow light … could end up with you never making it home again.”
More than 1 in 5 Australian drivers are now recording their commutes, according to data from insurer Allianz Australia.
What is the punishment for running a red light?
The dobbed-in drivers in the ACT are facing a $451 fine and 3 demerit points.
It’s no different from the offence and penalty that would be issued if the offender was caught by a red-light speed camera, fixed point speed camera, or traffic and highway patrol officer.
Across the country, fines range from $159 to $575.
The fines issued by ACT police match the amount that would otherwise be incurred if the motorist was caught by a camera or patrolling officer. Source: SBS News
“In the last financial year ACT Road Policing officers issued more than 400 infringement and cautions for ignoring red lights,” Steel said.
“While Road Policing officers will continue to be out and about in the community, we’re encouraging members of the public to come forward with this kind of dash cam footage.”
A spokesperson for ACT Policing media said dash cam footage is considered legitimate evidence in court.
Users reporting through the ACT Policing portal may be required to provide a formal statement to police or attend court as a witness.
