7 hours ago
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Victoria’s automated mobile phone and seatbelt camera network has seemingly come under fire after a man was allegedly fined for what commenters say, looks like he's "flipping the camera off".
The man was fined on the first of October and sent evidence that appears to show him with his seatbelt on and no phone in his hand.
In a letter written to contest the fine, and later posted to Facebook via “Council Government watch Australia”, it reads that the driver was given a false infringement notice of $661, alleging he was on the phone.
"… based on an AI-generated image that, upon inspection, shows no mobile phone present in my hands. In fact, both hands are clearly visible, positioned above the steering wheel. Despite this, the automated system proceeded to issue a serious infringement notice — one that carries financial and reputational consequences for an innocent driver."
“This is not a trivial clerical mistake — it represents a failure of due process and a potential systemic risk affecting the accuracy and fairness of enforcement in Victoria.”
While it could be argued that the driver could be fined for “improper control of the vehicle”, the camera systems are only geared towards fineable offences, including lack of/improper seat belt usage, using a phone while driving, and in some states, unregistered vehicles.
Commenters were quick to point out a black rectangle on the driver's lap that could’ve been perceived as a mobile phone, but the poster was quick to shut down those claims.
If it is the case that it is a mobile phone on his lap, he is susceptible to fine as the road rules specify that the phone is to not be resting against any part of your body while driving.
While claims were raised around the accuracy of the system in the letter to road authorities, saying that images need further review before handing them out, the Victorian Government states that initial flags are done by AI – but reviewed by a human before the fine is sent out.
“Each camera trailer has two cameras and an infra-red flash that are enabled with artificial intelligence (AI) software. The cameras take high-resolution images at any time of the day or night, and in all traffic and weather conditions.”
“The AI technology automatically reviews each image. If it does not see a potential offence, it will reject the image.”
“If the AI detects a driver who may be using a portable device or not wearing their seatbelt, it flags the image for further review. Images where there might be a potential offence are then checked and verified by qualified independent officers.”
It has been open for debate if this is actually the case, with the latest data showing that 19,063 drivers were nabbed without a seatbelt or using the phone in Victoria, between 1 January 2025 and 31 March 2025 – that’s over 200 fines to manually review per day.
Conversely, South Australia’s trial of the cameras returned 31,000 people nabbed in just one month – more than 1000 fines to manually review each day.
The outcome of the Victorian man above has yet to be published, but if you feel as if a mobile phone/seatbelt camera has unfairly fined you, you can choose to contest the fine, which can then be elevated to a further court date.
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
