VIC Infringement Notices - Any experiences?

Ok, I just relocated to Melbourne from Perth. In my first week, I rented a car and went to South Melbourne dealership on a weekend to view a car. 2 weeks later my rental car company sent me emails with infringement fees. I called and checked and realised I got two infringement notices coming up (red light and speeding camera).

I have never gotten any infringement before (15 years of driving), just relocated to Melbourne.

The infringements (from the rental company) seems to come from a "1 second red light" and at a speed of 58km/h in a 40km/h zone (I think there is a 3km/h discount or some sort). Camera location is at Flinders Street, and reports did mention that camera netted a healthy $3 million over 27 days period!

I found on (http://www.camerassavelives.vic.gov.au/home/fines+and+penalt…) the payable amount are:
- "Failing to obey traffic lights, both red-light and red-light arrow, incurs a penalty of $369 and three demerit points."
- Between 10 km/h–24 km/h, fine amount is $295 and 3 demerit points

Total payable is $664 and 6 demerit points. And plus another $38.50 for each infringement fee coming from rental company, which brings the total to $741. It seems that the demerit points will stay on record for three years!

Did you have similar experiences? Apart from internal review, did you explore any other options? What are your "exceptional circumstances", is good past driving behaviour qualify as a "special circumstances"? The VIC Police website mentioned the process for internal review (https://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?document_id=10369) but I dont think I qualify under the "10km/h to 14km/h" speed limit by 1km/h!

I am at a loss, panic stricken unfortunately. Apart from having to live with six demerit points for three years (tarnished record), $700+ over dollars can and will go a long way to purchasing some furniture for a bare house that doesnt even have any chairs to sit on =(

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Comments

  • 58km/h over the speed limit of 40km/h

    Were you over the speed limit by 58 km/h or were you traveling 58 km/h in a 40 zone?

    • +2

      Sorry for the confusion, I was told I was travelling at the speed of 58km/h in a 40km/h zone.

      • +25

        There is a special place in hell for people that speed in 40km/h zones, pay the fines.

        You were close to 50% over the speed limit, no excuse mate.

        • +13

          @LurvinOZB:

          What are your "exceptional circumstances", is good past driving behaviour qualify as a "special circumstances"?

          It does look that way.

        • +1

          @LurvinOZB:

          Yes. Yes you were.

        • +4

          @LurvinOZB: Do the crime, pay the fine!

        • +6

          Why do you say that? Why does 40km/h zones make speeding in this area any more special than speeding in any other zone?

          The entire Melbourne CBD is a 40km/h zone now, including the west end of Flinders St, where OP was pinged, and where there are wider roads without even any footpaths for a pedestrian to jump out at a driver.

        • +1

          @zzap:

          It wasn't really the fact that it was a 40 zone, it was more that he was nearly 50% over the limit.

        • +10

          @Drew22: He may have been under the impression that it was a 60km/h zone, as the road has been designed in a manner that a reasonable person would suspect it is a 60km/h zone. That's because it IS a 60km/h zone in the road's design docs. The speed has only been adjusted in the past few years for consistency with smaller CBD roads and laneways.

        • @zzap: Perth CBD has been 40km/h for ages now too. Welcome to Victoria. The cameras aren't painted bright yellow like they are back home in the west ;)

        • @zzap: 40k zones are a joke. The whole concept of them is nonsensical as it is a quick bandaid fix but doesnt actually resolve the problem. Majority of incidents arent people driving past but rather dropping / picking up and parking….As well as visibility due to the amount of cars pulling in and out / parking and dropping / pickup up children.

        • @zzap:

          Good point!

          Mt. Alexander road has a 40km/h zone, and I didn't know because it changes to 60km/h and then after the lights, BOOM, 40km/h, not sure why. It's not a school zone which I understand completely, but city and wide road as designed to be 60km/h.

          But I'm glad zzap sees the logic here.

        • +14

          I think Drew22 was making a joke when he said there's a special place in hell for you.
          Honestly, telling people you drove 58km/h in a 40 zone was never going to generate much sympathy.

          And your comment on karma is ironic considering your situation.

        • +2

          @djmatt24:

          Half joking. Exceeding the speed limit by almost 50% in any speed zone is inexcusable.
          Comparing someone doing 1km/h over the speed limit to someone doing nearly 20km/h over the limit is a big difference.

        • +1

          Honestly, I think the "special hell in place" comments are not acceptable, as I believe that's disrespecting the OP (even though it's a joke, I still wouldn't say it IMO, I don't believe it's tasteful) and it's not nice to say it back. Be the better person.

  • +11

    58km/h over the speed limit of 40km/h

    The 40 zone is there for a reason.it keeps our kids safe and our road workers safe,and to mention revenue raising is just wrong…my little brother was hit on a crossing by a moron speeding in a 40 zone.we all need to slow down.

    • I know speed limit is there for a reason, and I "hardly" speed or feel the need to speed at any occasion when I am driving. And my sympathy goes out to your little brother who was involved in an accident due to some idiot drivers.

      I guess the fines and demerits are here to stay, just trying to get over the "established fact" why was I doing 18km/h over a 40km/h zone. Usually I am very careful with speeding as I too get annoyed with speeders, and drivers over here in Melbourne seems to have a passion for tailgating (not that common in Perth).

      Its a very expensive lesson and sadly a "disheartened first time" type of feeling copping a traffic infringement.

      edit for typo on grammer

      • +5

        Hardly speed? So you do speed, and now asking for leniency? Nice.

        • +12

          And you have never sped…..unless you don't drive of course. I would bet that anyone that drives speeds, or has sped, whether intentionally or not……honest mistake or not….and I wouldn't believe anyone that says otherwise. Sometimes going over the speed limit is just part of driving especially in larger city areas like Sydney or Melbourne with up to 3 or more different speed limits on the same stretch of road in a distance of a few hundred metres, then with street signs on top of street signs to deal with which also keeps your eyes off the speedo and then other warning signs and distractions. We have hills, getting out of situations overtaking SAFELY, cars entering here and there, cars turning here and there, there's always something or someone that's going to cause you a problem etc etc. There you go…we are all criminals…we may as well now go and rob a bank. (profanity…profanity)
          The key is to be as good and as safe a driver as you can be, and always be aware of your surroundings and situations so you don't break the law you criminals.

        • +14

          @Drew22: Well your first sentence shows your attitude and problem.
          Form or have a pre-determined opinion of what you consider right without bothering to read all the information or circumstances. Im not defending the OP, Im only highlighting that sometimes people speed and it doesn't automatically make them a criminal as the law and some high and mighty perfect people try to insinuate.
          Anyway I'm not going to bother arguing about it, you have your opinion, I have mine..

        • +5

          @Drew22:
          Drew has drawn away some negs from jv tonight.

        • -4

          @jubba:

          Do I get a prize for that?
          I think there should be a prize.

        • @raffaharley:

          45% over the speed limit is an entirely different matter I think.

      • You do not only speed, you cross red lights too! Just pay, you might end up loosing your license.

  • +10

    I'm just amazed u managed to get to 58km on flinders st. I struggle to reach the 40km most of the time driving on flinders.

    • I dont know why I sped too … cant even remember what Flinders street looks like … Am usually very bad on directions and 3 weeks here, the only place I dont need GPS is the local Coles/ Woolies …

      • Maybe you were too busy checking you GPS and must be early or late hours otherwise its almost impossible to make 60km on flinders street this might even explain why you cross the red light. so next time "eyes on the road Rhonda" joke aside you should be careful. Even though I don't agree with 40km speed limit(it should be 50 in my opinion(maybe we should be more careful and teach our kids to be careful when we/they cross the road)) law is law and no exempt from it no excuses(including police as well). I learned my lesson the hard way and paid couple speeding fines(all of them was on highway while no one was around and early hours speeding to catch some work in rural areas. Never speed in the city and never crossed red light.) So what can you do is now is call the compliance office and ask extension of time and payment plan.

    • +1

      That particular section of Flinders St is very easy to go 60km/h, especially outside of peak hour. It's quite a wide road with brick pylons (supporting the rail
      way track) along the left hand side and the camera is hidden behind one of those. It wasn't that long ago that they changed it to 40km/h in line with the rest of the CBD.

      There's a major police station a few hundred metres down the road so there are many marked and unmarked police cars and divisional vans that travel along that stretch to return to base. More often than not, they will deliberately slow down for that camera, then speed up again towards Spencer St.

  • +10

    If you sped less than 10km/h over the speed limit, you can ask for a warning instead of a fine (if you have a good driving record). My husband done that before without any problem. But you were 18k over…so I don't think they will downgrade it to a warning.
    As for running a red light… I don't think there's any way out for you neither.
    Sorry, no good news for you. $741..ouch…welcome to Melbourne!

    • +5

      Oh well … apart from the "4 seasons in a day" weather and the "painful" traffic infringements experience, I think I am still positively looking forward to making it viable in Melbourne for a young family of three.

      Five posts on this and I think my whining can peacefully end here, and of course to look forward to receiving those dreadful letters in the mail.

      • -1

        OP my 2 cents - Melbourne has world class public transport, so reconsider/delay your decision on buying a car. Also, if you living in and around the city ( inner City ) get a decent bike. Plus try to avoid driving in the city as much as you can.

        • +17

          Calling it world class is abit of a stretch.

        • +16

          World class???

          If you think its world class, im thinking you dont use it everyday.

          Also what sort of "world class" transit system doesnt have a train line to the Airport???

        • -6

          @bugman:

          The Skybus is fine!

        • +6

          What next - we have a world class ticketing system?!

        • +1

          @bugman: agree, you only need to go overseas and feel ashamed of Melbourne not having train system to airport. Even the Asian countries have them. And tourists are complaining too, must be they don't encounter this kind of thing in the other big cities they visit.

        • @bugman: Agree with you but a little hack that I use. Craigieburn line to broadmeadows and then 901 bus to airport can be done on MYKI. It works best if you live near the Craigieburn line station. :) Under 45 min to airport for me and on MYKI!

        • @bugman: Spot on, my first choice is my push bike. Thinking about it 'world class' was a bit of exaggeration. However, somehow I think public transport is acceptable 80% of the time. On a scale of 10 , I would def give a 8 for Melbourne.

        • @vroomkroom: Have you ever left the country, let alone Melbourne?

        • @McFly: Nah mate, suffer from aviophobia

      • +1

        For a family of 3, it seems you're driving pretty reckless. I don't know how old your small one is, but one day he will be on those roads. With bike, with car or by foot, and then you worry every day he/she's out and hope no driver around that does not respect red lights or speed limits

    • +1

      Hands up..anybody that ever got a warning instead of a fine for speeding….

      • +7

        i did. by 3-5 km if i can remember. You had to write a letter saying that it was you who drove it. They waive the fine and demerit points. You can't use that warning for another 2 years i think…

        • Good info … two year period if warning is issued instead of infringement.

      • +2

        I did 90 in an 80 zone before. Undercover cops pulled me over but let me off. Asked me if I was ever in trouble with the police. Clean driving record and all.

      • I was clocked at 74 in a 60 zone at 5.55am. Wrote a letter and had it downgraded to a warning. Saved me 3 points and $300.

        • Well, I took mine to court and section 10 saved me for the first infringement and paid for second fine. Saved me 4 points and about $100.

        • how did u do it ? :( i got catch on camera with exact speed fine at 2 : 30 AM . I can't find any option for letter . Can't Pm u . Thanks

      • Every member in my family has had one each, fine was waived.
        But not for running a red light - absolutely not even if we tried pleading. It is a serious offence.

  • +1

    Everything sounds about right, I know it hurts but it seems you're just going to have to take it. There's no harm in writing, explaining your circumstances and outlining what you want but if I were you I'd be preparing to pay the full amount.

    Apart from being $700+ out of pocket, the demerit points won't have an affect on your life (if you follow all road rules). So don't worry about having a 'tarnished' record - it's not important. It doesn't go on your resume/dating profile/mortgage application so it shouldn't affect you as long as you don't get any more.

    It hurts paying fines and I'm sure you know that the limits are there for a reason so it seems you'll be without $700 worth of furniture for your move.

    • It just dont feel right … I abide the laws right to the dot, perhaps I am just distraught and a wee disgusted at why I would sped.

      Oh well, I better stop at empathy replies. Wouldnt want to sound like I need a hug =)

      Thanks!

      • -1

        Well. In this instance, you did not abide by the law "to the dot"… As a result you received an infringement notice for breaking the law, and that somehow isn't right?
        The only thing "not right" is you exceeding the speed limit by almost 50%

        • +10

          Give him a break. You act like you are an agel and never went over limit. Human nature makes too many mistake at different circumstances until he corrects himself. You guys pick on every little f**king words and letters. If you have anything useful to add, then do it otherwise stop being such a police.

          Now stop digging into my past post too and making up your argument against me. Feel free to neg if you got offended.

        • +1

          There's got to be a reason that particular camera makes so much money, yet vicroads is still happy to just leave that camera there instead of trying to do something else to slow people down… even the large number of cops that use that road "speed" at about 50-60km/h until they get to that camera… they'll brake a little, then just drive normally again at 50-60km/h after.

          While I agree with you that the OP's speed was in fact almost 50% over the speed limit, you harping on about that particular point reminds me of something the Herald Sun would use on their front page.

          Imagine the headline for someone getting a fine for travelling 20km/h in a 10km/h zone.. "Irresponsbile driver caught speeding at TWICE the legal limit!!"

        • @hv:

          Please don't compare me to the Herald Sun, my moral standards are far far lower than theirs.

  • +1

    Write a letter outlining your case. You may be let off.

    • +2

      I think I might have a go with the "internal review" process, just thinking how I would build a case for leniency.

      Or perhaps pay up and just move on.

      • +3

        Always worth challenging/contesting a fine as long as there are no penalties for doing so, e.g. fines double if unsuccessful.

        • Exactly, if you have nothing to lose, then go for it.

        • True, noted. Thanks for the advice, will fill up the form in anticipation for the letters.

        • I didn't think there was any leniency for Red light cameras?

        • @smpantsonfire:
          Yeah not for red light. But OP could definitely write a letter for the speeding.

      • +3

        Yes, have a go, nothing to lose. Tell them you are new to Melbourne, you were lost at the time, not used to CBD traffic…

  • +3

    I presume they have sent you photographic evidence of the infringement and you have done all the due diligence? For example:

    • The infringement happened on the dates that you were in possession of the car?
    • You were driving in that location at that time?
    • The vehicle plates match that of the vehicle you were driving?

    I notice it seems to be the norm that drivers in Australia speed up when they see a light turning yellow in order to beat the red light; I imagine that is what has happened in this case to be doing 58km/h in a 40 zone.

    • -4

      In Victoria you can't get photographs

      • +3

        I think I might have read it somewhere that you can get photos?

        https://online.fines.vic.gov.au/fines/secure/authenticate.as…

        • -4

          My mistake they've changed that recently…

        • +1

          @knick007:

          It is a learning curve, and an expensive one on me.

        • Hey mate, do you know if you have to pay to view the photos? I remember hearing that you had too???

        • @lemons4lime: now can view the photo for free on the internet. Urghhh…ever felt that sinking feeling seeing the back of your car and number plates being photographed speeding past a red light? Like a violation of our privacy! That's how it feels. No way you can challenge that. But it was my car alright.

    • Nope, havent received anything. I only just received the emails from the rental company notifying me of the infringement admin fees that they charge on top of the actual VIC infringement notices.

      As mentioned, I was shocked and panicking since this was the first time I gotten a traffic infringement (or two) in the whole fifteen years time that I held my drivers licence for.

      The rental company said they will nominate me and only then will I receive the notices from Civic Compliance.

      Does it cost to get the photo from Civic Compliance? If its costly, I cant really justify spending another sum of money on top of the fines. I think once the notices arrive, it will be stated the cost of the photo.

      • +2

        Make sure you check and double check what moola said.

        • Noted on that, will do. Thanks champ =)

      • +2

        I once had a red light ticket and couldn't believe it as I try to be a safe driver. The process back then, about 6 years ago in Melbourne, was to visit an office in the city and view the photographs. They also explained that the camera takes two photos, one when the light is orange and one when the light turns red and if your rear wheel is in front of the white line in the orange photo, then they do not fine you. In my case, I was in the wrong as rear wheel before line at orange and after line at Red, so I paid up and copped the demerits! This was a right hand turn and in my own car. If it was a rental, I'd be cross checking rego and rental dates, but I believe you have a right to view the photographs.

        • unfortunately they have my credit card details. The rental company mentioned they will automatically deduct the admin fees X 2 for the infringement notices.

        • @LurvinOZB: It's probably correct, but you should still be able to view the images

        • @LurvinOZB:
          Why would they be deducting the admin fees twice? I've personally never received a fine from one of these so-called safety cams before, but I'd expect that the red light and speeding fine would come together as one?

          Surely, Vicroads or Civic Compliance or whoever manages these things won't be expecting the rental company to complete a driver nomination form for each offence! I can't imagine how it'd be possible to have different drivers given that one camera captured both offences together at the same time.

        • @hv:

          I was told the charges would come thru on my cc as the infringements were two, not one. Never gotten a ticket before so not sure how the traffic infringement works for speed/ red light camera.

      • +1

        Like mentioned above, try to get camera evidence and make sure you did in fact made those mistakes. Do NOT pay a single cent to the rental company till you get a copy of the actual infringement notices from the authorities with evidence!

    • +3

      Its just not me to "share" the consequences for something that I have direct control on (in this instance I was the one driving). I do appreciate your response and your suggestion.

      I only been to the city twice since I am in Melbourne, cant comment on the speed limits in the city.

      The rental company said it was at the intersection of Flinders and Williams (wherever that is).

      PS/ Edit: I didn't neg you. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I respect that

      • I know that intersection well, I live around the corner from there, and I too have been pinged with the red light camera there one time(turning right onto Flinders from Williams St), when I tried to rush the amber. Was an expensive lesson. Didn't realise there was also a speed camera there too.

        • I'm just amazed you could get up to 58km/h there. I've had to go down there at 9/10pm and I'm sure I still couldn't get above 30.

    • -1

      Wow just wow 5 negs

    • +1

      I gave your reply a +1 because its clearly a joke!!

  • +5

    Here is the official policy:

    http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?document_id=10369

    and a related newspaper article:

    http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/victoria-police-r…

    You'll need to wait until you receive the infringement notices before you can ask for a review. If you decide to ask for a review, remember to be contrite, admit the offence, and explain the circumstances of the offence clearly (as you have above).

    In your favour is your until now perfect driving record and your newness to our sometimes confusing CBD streets.

    • Yep, thats what Civic Compliance said when in my eagerness I called to make a query.

      It was a good article, thanks for that.

  • +3

    As our noble Police always say "If it saves one life….". Just think how many lives that $3,000,000 has saved.
    Ooops! My bad! Didn't save any in Victoria, the Road Toll is up.Maybe it is saving lives in Melbourne only.
    Nope! Melbourne's up too.
    Maybe they are just a bunch of lying Tax collectors.

    • +6

      You know its in your hands whether you wanted to 'donate' that money or not, if you don't want to give them money, then don't speed/run the red light. Simple. Unless someone had you at knife point in the passengers seat, there's really no excuse.

      Ive seen many idiots who do stupid things to attract the cops attention, when the cop car is right next/behind them. Wonder which stupid tree they fell down from.

      • you wanted to 'donate' that money or not

        Donation is a good thing, too bad it's not tax deductible, otherwise people would keep donating and claim tax deduction.

    • +2

      The flip side of that is that ONE fatality on the roads is estimated to cost the community $3.18M…

      http://www.mynrma.com.au/media/Cost_of_Road_Crashes.pdf

      Collecting taxes or covering costs?

      • Each Car driver should pay into a Fund for victims of road accidents.
        There is a statistic, that estimates how many days-month-years a driver kills, by driving 1 hour in his car. It is scary but true:
        Every time you sit in the car, start the engine, and drive off, you potentially could kill someone.
        It's not to dissimilar from walking out of the house with a loaded gun.

        • +1

          We actually already do! In Vic, it's called the TAC charge that is paid with our registration!

  • Maybe you tried to speed through an orange light and got pinged for the speeding and a red light. Really your only option is to do a Marcus Einfeld and nominate someone living overseas as the driver and hope you don't get busted like he did.

    • Correction, you only get fined for running a red light when your back tyre is still on the final line at the intersection you go through. If you run an amber light and your back tyre is not sitting on that line when the light is red, you do not get a red ticket. The traffic office told me that.

  • Were you aware of the decreased speed limit?.
    ie did you see the sign?
    If not make sure the sign is of the prescribed size.
    If it is heavy traffic area and only one sign (not overhead) and two lanes of traffic, it would not be hard to get a photograph showing a stationary truck totally obliterating the sign and you have quite a good case for consideration.
    Still no excuse for running a red light but imho a fair excuse if conditions made it impossible for you to see the reduced limit.

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