NSW speed camera operator reveals how fast drivers can go before they are booked
Speed camera operator claims motorists can drive 10 per cent over the limit before being booked – but not everyone is convinced
- Speed camera operator claimed that 10 percent overrun is OK
- Australian drivers think his ‘insider tip’ is a trap
A mobile speed camera operator has been distributing drivers after claiming motorists are allowed to drive a certain speed above the limit before being booked.
The speed camera operator made the ridiculous claim against a motorist as he was refueling his car at a petrol station in Sydney.
Edward McDonald had filled up his motorcycle and was standing nearby with a group of friends when he was approached by the operator.
Young motorist Edward McDonald spoke to a speed camera operator at a petrol station in Sydney (pictured)
He shared video of the exchange with TikTok on Sunday, claiming he got “an inside tip” from a “speed camera dude.”
In the video, the operator can be seen telling the young men that they can drive 10 percent faster than the speed limit without being fined.
“Let me tell you something guys, you can go 10 percent faster than any damn speed limit before you get pulled over,” he said.
The skeptical young man asks, “Even on your camera?”
“Yes,” the man replied.
Edward explained in the video’s caption that he’s “not going to test it” because he fears the man’s claims could be a trap.
Social media users agreed with many that they were fined for driving less than 10 km/h faster than the speed limit.
“I was fined by a mobile speed camera for driving “less than 3 miles” in New South Wales,” one wrote.
“No, it’s not a 10 because he’s trying to make extra money from the people he gets. It’s just past 5 that’s it,’ another person commented.
A third person complained: ‘I passed 3km/h on a mobile speed camera.’
“I’m definitely trying to get a commission from you,” a fourth person added.
Other users claimed that people were confused between 10 percent over and 10 mph over the speed limit.
“It’s up to 10 percent. Everything above 10 percent is booked. Example: 100 km/h zone is 10 km/h extra. Everything about you is gone,” one person commented.
“It’s not 10 km, it’s 10 percent. So 4 over 40, 5 over 50, and so on,” another person wrote.
Mobile speed camera vehicles in NSW equipped to carry portable warning signs in a reversal of the previous state government’s decision to remove the signs in 2020.
Mobile speed camera vehicles in NSW equipped to carry portable warning signs in a reversal of the previous state government’s decision to remove the signs in 2020
The speed camera operator (left) told Edward (right) and his friends that they could drive 10 percent above the legal speed limit without being fined. Edward said he wouldn’t test it because he fears the man’s claim could be a trap
Warning signs must now be displayed during enforcement, including a retractable sign on the roof, two portable signs on approach to each vehicle with mobile speed cameras, and one after.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he wanted ‘an end to secrecy’, with drivers having clear speed camera warning signs to remind them to slow down.
“I’d rather people slow down in the first place than be fined two weeks after committing the offence,” Prime Minister Chris Minns said.
Mr Minns said the former government went from collecting about $4 million a year in fines for low speeding tickets to about $45 million over a single financial year.
The number of fines for exceeding the speed limit by 10 km/h or less went from 3,222 in October 2020 to 27,855 in February 2021.
Following community response, the signs were partially reintroduced to return to the top of speed cameras in 2021, but drivers were not given any advance warning.