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Mom gives a bizarre excuse after being fined $362 for being on a cell phone while behind the wheel
- Mom fined for holding her daughter’s toy Bluey phone while driving
- She was fined $362 as a result of a cell phone camera
A mother has been ticketed for holding a mobile phone while driving, but claims it was just her daughter’s Bluey toy phone.
The woman was caught on a traffic camera on Princes Highway between Brodie Spark Drive and Holbeach Avenue, Tempe, Sydney’s inner south, at 7:29am on February 10.
Shocked by the $362 mail-in fine and the loss of five demerit points, she immediately requested the photographic evidence.
Reviewing the image taken by the state’s high-tech cameras, he connected the dots: It wasn’t his cell phone, it was his daughter’s toy.
Tara McCarthy from Transport for NSW told Daily Mail Australia that she will work with Revenue NSW to review the incident.
A mother has been fined $362 after she was caught on a high-tech traffic camera holding what she says was her daughter’s Bluey phone while on Princess Highway in Sydney’s inner south.
The Bluey toy phone features characters from the popular children’s TV series and lets kids talk to the characters Bluey and Bingo.
“These types of incidents are unusual,” Ms McCarthy said.
‘Transport for NSW will work with Revenue NSW to review the penalty notice in question.’
Transport for NSW says that any member of the public with questions about an infringement notice can ask Revenue NSW to review their case.
If Revenue NSW still determines that the fine should be upheld, the driver may choose to take the matter to court.
The Bluey toy phone features characters from the popular children’s TV series and lets kids talk to the characters Bluey and Bingo.
The toy also allows children to play four different games based on various episodes of the show.
While it’s common knowledge that it’s illegal to use a mobile device while driving, things like eating or drinking behind the wheel and holding another item are gray areas.
While there are no specific rules of the road that prohibit holding a drink, food or toy while behind the wheel, drivers can be fined if doing so is deemed to affect their control of the vehicle or their level of concentration.
NSW Road Rule 297(1) deals with driver distraction and states that “a driver must not drive a vehicle unless they are in proper control of the vehicle”.
The fine for this offense is $464 and three demerit points.
While there are no specific rules of the road that prohibit holding a drink, food or toy while behind the wheel, drivers can be fined if doing so is deemed to affect their control of the vehicle or level of concentration (file image)