VIC - Pulled over by Highway Patrol but No Physical Ticket Issued. Will I Get a Fine?

cuteseal on 03/09/2024 - 10:51
Last edited 03/09/2024 - 10:52

Typing this at my desk very sheepishly after being pulled over by an unmarked police car for going through a red light on a freeway onramp (those that control how many cars go through during peak hour). Officer asked for my license, asked me why I ran the red, and then told me to make sure to stop at red lights, then drove off. No physical ticket was issued.

Question: If no physical ticket was issued, what is the likelihood that I will receive a fine? (I'm in Victoria).
Just wondering whether I was just given a warning or whether I'll get a fine in the mail later.

For the background info - it was one of those freeway onramps with 2 lanes, and red light that allows one car through at a time during peak hour. I was traveling about 60k with no cars in front of me in my lane, about 2-3 car lengths from the light, when the light turned green and then red again. So instead of coming to a stop I just rolled through and then lights and sirens came on behind me.

I definitely acknowledge my mistake, it was laziness on my part and will definitely not do that again. Just wanting to know whether I should be expecting (and budget for) a surprise in the mail, or whether I can sleep easier tonight.

Automotive

Comments

    • jv on 03/09/2024 - 10:59
      +59

      You run a red light and want to sleep easy?

      How can you not run a red on those lights?

      They stay green for maybe 0.5 seconds…

        • jv on 03/09/2024 - 11:29
          +36

          By the time you commence to accelerate when they change green, you will be crossing a red light again, therefore crossing red lights, which is illegal.

          • burningrage on 03/09/2024 - 12:34
            +16

            @jv: This! I never quite agree with that red light on freeway in the first place and the fact that it went green for 1 second (which is equivalent to reaction time to hit the pedal) only before it went yellow makes it impossible NOT to cross the red light.

      • JIMB0 on 03/09/2024 - 11:17
        +5

        Get a faster car.

      • Joey2scoops on 04/09/2024 - 07:48

        It's not rocket science.

      • HeWhoKnows on 04/09/2024 - 16:01

        But its obvious OP got off scott-free anyway.

      • mrdevil on 06/09/2024 - 00:03
        +1

        Completely agree - having only encountered those types of lights on the odd occassion I've travelled interstate, i couldn't believe how quickly they change. All it takes is someone with a slow reaction time to either take too long to get going when it turns green to then cause headaches for the person behind them, or vice versa - by the time you notice it's green they bloody change again. They almost feel like they only make it more dangerous than just having a normal merging lane like most other states do.

    • TheFreaK on 03/09/2024 - 11:02
      +8

      Although I'd agree with you had this been a normal set of traffic lights, but this was a completely empty set of traffic metering lights

    • Murkymerv on 03/09/2024 - 13:50

      Well there's plenty out at Craigieburn , probably not the right suburb for you to visit .

    • kungfuman on 06/09/2024 - 15:24

      Victorian drivers are just as bad as NSW drivers maybe even worse.

    • BluebirdV on 06/09/2024 - 16:43

      Grumpy old man

  • Tony-Abbott on 03/09/2024 - 11:02
    +24

    An actual answer:
    Yes, you can still get a fine in the mail if nothing was actually given to you on the spot.

    • cuteseal on 03/09/2024 - 11:05
      +3

      Thank you! :(

      • FoxJump on 03/09/2024 - 12:33
        -2

        yes you will.

      • I like freestuff on 05/09/2024 - 07:32
        +2

        Ehhh pretty bad communication from the cop if you still get one. Typically they will tell you that one will be sent out etc.

        In QLD you can login to your TMR account and view any fines you get(speed cam ones will take a few weeks to appear though). Depending on how the transport department works in VIC I would imagine it is similar.

      • creesy on 05/09/2024 - 10:31
        +5

        Its likely you wont though.

  • Champas on 03/09/2024 - 11:10
    -3

    I dont think so. Im fairly sure they have to issue you a fine on the spot. Either that or they didn't actually have enough to pin it on you? kind of like when they dont actually get a radar reading…but im not sure how this works in context of a red light.

    Were they in uniform? Sometimes detectives like to tell you off.

    Unless it was a highway patrol car it was probably just another officer going about their business and saw you do something stupid and wont bother taking it further.

    Its happened to me a few times when I was younger (and no doubt stupider) and never got a fine.
    Once they even physically took my license and made me come and pick it up in the morning so they could give me a stern talking to, but in the end still let me off with a warning. Ironically I was just following their cars speed on the freeway so they were in the wrong too which is probably why.

    • cuteseal on 03/09/2024 - 11:15
      +4

      It was an unmarked car (BMW X5 SUV) and the officer was in uniform.
      He took my license and looked at it and then handed it back to me.

      For the record, he actually did tell me off - "you should bloody !&#@#$ stop next time".

        • cuteseal on 03/09/2024 - 11:44
          +9

          Uno reverse!

        • Chinese on 04/09/2024 - 16:39
          -1

          Also a crime to record without consent?

          • jv on 04/09/2024 - 16:41
            +3

            @Chinese:

            Also a crime to record without consent?

            No it's not…

            Not in Victoria anyway…

            • Chinese on 04/09/2024 - 16:44

              @jv: Should have got both the camera and mic in action, then.

              • jv on 04/09/2024 - 16:58
                -1

                @Chinese: Do you need prior consent to record someone in Sydney ?

          • Scantu on 04/09/2024 - 20:37

            @Chinese: No of course not, especially in public.

            Exceptions apply in a place where you "expect" privacy

            • Chinese on 04/09/2024 - 20:42

              @Scantu: The road is a public place. Is the vehicle a private space?

              Does it comply with Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW), or the equivalent law at jurisdictions outside of NSW?

              Not looking for an answer, merely pointly the subtleties than a general statement that it is okay.

              • Scantu on 04/09/2024 - 22:25

                @Chinese: Vehicle isn't a private space in AUS like it is in the US. But even if it was - still not the deciding factor.

                It just needs to be a place where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. There are places in private places where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, and there are places in private places where there is not. Usually bathrooms, bedrooms. But not a kitchen for example.

                QLD law. Unsure of other states.

        • supersabroso on 06/09/2024 - 01:26

          No use right? Don't you have to let people know that you are recording them in Australia for it to be admissible in court?

          • jv on 06/09/2024 - 09:05

            @supersabroso:

            Don't you have to let people know that you are recording them

            Not in Victoria

      • burningrage on 03/09/2024 - 12:35

        That's not professional.

        • ttt888 on 03/09/2024 - 15:15
          +9

          OP would rather take the "Telling off " than a on the spot fine. :)

      • singingwolf on 04/09/2024 - 07:39
        +1

        Bloody bloody. No you bloody.

      • 2esc on 04/09/2024 - 10:57
        +1

        I rather get told off than get a fine IF you actually did something wrong.

        Too much softly softly approach worried about hurting peoples feelings. We now have serious youth crime etc that could be attributed to society's leaner approach.

        Problem is so many entitled people out there now as soon as something doesnt go there way its like they are back in kindy and run to mum to have a cry.

        Police get verbally abused every day of the week for doing nothing wrong just doing their job but people think thats okay to treat police that way.

      • keverns on 04/09/2024 - 23:00

        white one on monash?

      • BartholemewH on 05/09/2024 - 12:07

        If he didn't take your license to the car to transcribe your details then you are in the clear.

    • gromit on 04/09/2024 - 22:30

      they absolutely DO NOT have to issue a fine on the spot. often you can get a warning or a warning with they will check your record to make the decision.

  • JimB on 03/09/2024 - 11:12
    +5

    I run those red lights all the time when the freeway is empty.

    Fingers crossed for you. Hopefully the copper may be too busy to complete the paperwork later on.

    • cuteseal on 03/09/2024 - 11:18

      I'm hoping with my fingers and toes crossed that this is the case!

    • Scantu on 04/09/2024 - 20:37
      +6

      stopping at lights when the road is deserted is some real npc shit but I think most australians will c*m at the idea of handing out a fine for it anyway

      • JimB on 05/09/2024 - 09:39

        We need to also reintroduce turning left on red light when clear.

        • mecusherb on 05/09/2024 - 10:19

          Did that used to be a thing?

          • JimB on 05/09/2024 - 10:55

            @mecusherb: I'm pretty sure it was when I was growing up.

            May need someone older to confirm.

            In any case, I can't see why it shouldn't be introduced (again) like overseas.

            • Baysew on 05/09/2024 - 11:04
              +1

              @JimB: It's hard enough to get people to stop even when the road isn't clear.

            • mecusherb on 05/09/2024 - 11:17
              +1

              @JimB: I did this move on my bike at 5am one morning when there were literally no traffic and this other Cyclist yelled at me "It's a red light"

              Technically he was correct but turning left on a red when there is no one around seems to be common sense.

              • JimB on 05/09/2024 - 11:29
                +2

                @mecusherb: Some people here (and cyclist) would want you shot for that indiscretion lol

                • mecusherb on 05/09/2024 - 11:44
                  +1

                  @JimB: I can literally tell you where it was.

                  Melbourne - La Trobe Street turning left onto Swanston where the library is.

                  Swanston only services trams and at that hour they're not even running. People on here love to loop hole the hell out of anything they can but then love to boot lick the living hell out of tedious "crimes"

                  Anyway, bring on the downvotes you saps!

        • Scantu on 05/09/2024 - 13:14

          Coming back from the states it is so frustrating to sit at lights turning left for genuinely no reason.

          Don't get me even started on the lights they have started placing everywhere on slip roads to go left on intersections with clear lines of sight toward oncoming.

  • rezok on 03/09/2024 - 11:15
    +13

    Those telling you a fine needs to be issued are wrong. You MAY get a fine in the mail, you may not. Wait and see, 2-3 weeks and you're then usually in the clear.

    • jv on 03/09/2024 - 11:33

      You MAY get a fine in the mail

      How will he have your details? He didn't take a record of the licence number.

      • cuteseal on 03/09/2024 - 11:41

        He did inspect my license and asked me if I'm still living at <address>, but he didn't bring my license back to his vehicle which is where I thought they usually write you up and issue you a ticket.

        Was wondering whether they do it differently now and maybe lodge it electronically without giving you a ticket.

        • oscargamer on 03/09/2024 - 11:43

          Is the car you were driving registered to you?

          • cuteseal on 03/09/2024 - 11:44

            @oscargamer: Yes

            • oscargamer on 03/09/2024 - 11:45
              +3

              @cuteseal: Then the viewing of your licence was a formality to establish your identity.

              You might or might not get a ticket in the post.

              Give it a couple of weeks.

              • cuteseal on 03/09/2024 - 12:07

                @oscargamer: Ok thanks… will just have to wait :(

                  • jv on 03/09/2024 - 13:33
                    -1

                    @oscargamer:

                    How about you don't run red lights

                    It is unavoidable at the ramps on the freeways.

                    • oscargamer on 03/09/2024 - 13:45
                      -7

                      @jv: Nonsense.

                      • jv on 03/09/2024 - 13:50
                        -2

                        @oscargamer:

                        Nonsense.

                        It's not possible to avoid the red light if you are at a stop. Most cars cannot accelerate fast enough in 0.5 seconds to cross whilst still green.

          • jv on 03/09/2024 - 11:46
            +1

            @oscargamer:

            Is the car you were driving registered to you?

            Without doubt…

    • Bargainitis on 03/09/2024 - 14:23
      +1

      sometimes longer.

      If its a regional cop, it can take months. I got one a couple of years ago and it was mailed to me (the bloody carbon copy of it).

      Dont worry, I contested it.

  • Boioioioi on 03/09/2024 - 11:41
    +6

    You might, in QLD I have been pulled over for speeding and the cop said I'd get sent a fine, which came to me via SMS.

    However the cop was quite clear about it and told me what would happen. Sounds to me like you just got a warning

    • jv on 03/09/2024 - 11:43
      -1

      which came to me via SMS.

      What if you don't have a mobile ?

      • Boioioioi on 03/09/2024 - 11:44
        +6

        Maybe you'd get a telegram or morse code flashed through your window

        • jv on 03/09/2024 - 11:47
          +4

          I only accept registered smoke signals…

          • mapax on 03/09/2024 - 13:56

            @jv: That explains why I didn’t get a response about the question I had for the next goat sacrifice, I sent an unregistered smoke signal.

            • jv on 03/09/2024 - 14:03

              @mapax: Were you following the new handshake protocol?

      • BigBirdy on 04/09/2024 - 08:49

        The cops ask you to confirm your mobile number, and that they can send you the penalty via SMS.

        • jv on 04/09/2024 - 09:11

          The cops ask you to confirm your mobile number

          Many people don't have mobiles though.

  • 7ekn00 on 03/09/2024 - 11:44
    +4

    Just go to the cop station, say you ran a red light and ask if they will fine you …

    • jv on 03/09/2024 - 11:48

      say you ran a red light and ask if they will fine you …

      they will need proof…

      • oscargamer on 03/09/2024 - 12:33
        +1

        Which they will likely have, being all HWP vehicles have video cameras…. And police officers in them. Both of these sources can provide sufficient 'evidence'.

        You do know that people were successfully prosecuted for offences before cameras came along…..?

        • jv on 03/09/2024 - 16:28
          -2

          Which they will likely have

          Not if they weren't right behind you to show it was red when you crossed.

    • Bdawg on 03/09/2024 - 14:04
      +1

      Why on earth would anyone do this?

  • mboy on 03/09/2024 - 13:12
    +16

    Officer asked for my license, asked me why I ran the red, and then told me to make sure to stop at red lights, then drove off. No physical ticket was issued.

    Sounds a lot like just a warning to me.

    The red lights at the bottom of onramps are there to stagger traffic entering the freeway. Running one of those isn't nearly as dangerous or heinous (imo) as running a red light at an intersection, which is likely why you were let off with just a warning.

    In any case, be more careful in the future.

  • stuffandthat on 03/09/2024 - 14:10
    +4

    If he didn't take your licence and sit in his car for 5 minutes then I'd highly doubt you'll get a fine. Probably just made sure you have a valid licence.

  • tsunamisurfer on 03/09/2024 - 15:53
    +1

    You mean the policeman didn't say you are getting warning or a fine?

    • cuteseal on 03/09/2024 - 16:31

      No he didn’t mention a warning or a fine.

      He just said something along the lines of “next time bloody %%#!%!#! stop”, then walked back to his car and drove off.

      • Some Human on 03/09/2024 - 22:31
        +5

        That sounds like letting you off with a warning.

  • minniethemoocher on 03/09/2024 - 15:57
    +4

    It does sound like a warning. But who knows? I don’t agree with others that say what you did was the same as running a red light at an intersection. The purpose of those lights is to stagger traffic as busy times.

  • Flying Ace on 03/09/2024 - 16:29
    +1

    Sounds like you got off with a warning.

  • brad1-8tsi on 03/09/2024 - 17:05
    +2

    You'll be fine. You won't be fined.

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