Driving in Australia - driving on the left, speeding & parking fines
Jan 8, 2015, 2:15 pm
#256
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CBR (Australia)
Programs: QF
Posts: 290
In my car which also has speed alerts (although you need to manually set it) I tend to set it to 5km higher than the speed limit. So if it's a 110km/h road, I'll set it to 115km/h. Otherwise I find that it's either going off every 2 minutes, or I'm not driving with the traffic flow (which to me is more important than keeping my eye's focused on the speedo)
Jan 9, 2015, 1:22 pm
#257
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,414
But traffic fines are local affairs, the federal police (and immigration) have better things to do. You'd probably run into problems eg. getting a driver's license in Australia, but you're not going to get arrested at the border.
Also, if you're just transiting Australia on your way somewhere else, you're going to stay in the airside area and will not even going to pass through immigration.
Worse case would be that under the NZ/AU infomation shareing you would be preventing from leaveing NZ till the fine is paid.
Jan 9, 2015, 6:26 pm
#258
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,512
This isn't correct for australia. This information is not shared from the issuing authorities (state/local) and immigration (federal) and immigration officials cannot detain someone for an unpaid speeding fine.
Jan 12, 2015, 11:47 am
#259
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
This is all fine until the speed limit on a certain stretch of road is reduced and the information takes some time to get into the GPS manufacturer's database. Meanwhile, the police need to make some cash by monitoring that road very carefully.
Jan 15, 2015, 12:55 am
#260
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: KL, EY, QF
Posts: 3
I guess the difference for me is that I'm an Australian citizen. I've heard from many people that with enough unpaid fines you end up with a warrant out for your arrest, the last thing I would want is a criminal record when I go back to live one day.
Yeah, this focus on technology to micro-manage driving speed -- and generate revenue for gov't -- has become quite problematic to me as someone who drives in about 20 different countries each year. When you're unfamiliar with the local laws, it's still pretty easy to determine for yourself what a safe speed limit is. But when there are cameras everywhere, it's difficult to know where the speed traps are, and whether you're going to get a ticket for travelling just a few KMs over a posted speed limit. Indeed, it's sometimes difficult to determine what that speed limit even is, especially when the gov't keeps changing it every few hundred meters (as seems to be the pattern in some Australian cities)! In Europe, I've had a few cars with built-in GPS's that displayed the speed limit for the stretch of road I'm on: I hope this becomes common, as it's quite helpful to a driver in a country with prevalent electronic-speed monitoring. In any event, it certainly makes me a less-safe driver when I'm focused on watching the speed limits instead of focusing on the safely driving the road.
I'm amazed that citizens in democracies put up with this BS (there's no real "freedom" when the gov't is using pervasive electronic means to punish you for trivial "infractions"), but it is what it is. I'm sure some countries will eventually stop the madness; others won't. While I'm overall a big fan of technology, "speed enforcement" is certainly one area where technology is being used for evil.
I'm amazed that citizens in democracies put up with this BS (there's no real "freedom" when the gov't is using pervasive electronic means to punish you for trivial "infractions"), but it is what it is. I'm sure some countries will eventually stop the madness; others won't. While I'm overall a big fan of technology, "speed enforcement" is certainly one area where technology is being used for evil.
You can also get GPS units that tell you the speed limit in Australia. Before I moved to Europe I had a Holden with the speed limit shown on the dash info display if you wanted it there. It also flashes when you go over it.
Jan 23, 2015, 11:21 am
#261
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 7
I've just received a speeding fine from my trip in Oz a few months ago, 59 in a 50 zone at 5am in the morn! The fine with the admin fee comes to approx $220, what grates me is the car hire firm Europcar is also trying to sting me with a $38.50 admin fee, which they assure me is part of their policy.
As this was not explained when taking hiring the vehicle, I've asked them for proof, which they haven't provided.
As this was not explained when taking hiring the vehicle, I've asked them for proof, which they haven't provided.
Jan 23, 2015, 2:01 pm
#262
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
I've just received a speeding fine from my trip in Oz a few months ago, 59 in a 50 zone at 5am in the morn! The fine with the admin fee comes to approx $220, what grates me is the car hire firm Europcar is also trying to sting me with a $38.50 admin fee, which they assure me is part of their policy.
As this was not explained when taking hiring the vehicle, I've asked them for proof, which they haven't provided.
As this was not explained when taking hiring the vehicle, I've asked them for proof, which they haven't provided.
13. PAYMENT OF CHARGES
13.1 At the end of the Rental Period, You must pay Europcar on demand:
(a) all charges specified on Part A and all charges payable under
the Rental Agreement, less any deposits already paid;
(b) the Credit Card Fee in Australia;
(c) any amount paid or payable by Europcar or payable by You
arising out of Your use of the Vehicle or imposed on You or
Europcar by any governmental or other competent authority
(such as speeding, road toll, parking and traffic fines). In addition
to any penalty or fine, the Renter is liable to pay Europcar the
infringement administration fee detailed on Part A; and
(d) any amount for which You are liable to Europcar under the
Rental Agreement, in respect of a breach of the Rental Agreement
or for damage or loss to the Vehicle or third party property
13.1 At the end of the Rental Period, You must pay Europcar on demand:
(a) all charges specified on Part A and all charges payable under
the Rental Agreement, less any deposits already paid;
(b) the Credit Card Fee in Australia;
(c) any amount paid or payable by Europcar or payable by You
arising out of Your use of the Vehicle or imposed on You or
Europcar by any governmental or other competent authority
(such as speeding, road toll, parking and traffic fines). In addition
to any penalty or fine, the Renter is liable to pay Europcar the
infringement administration fee detailed on Part A; and
(d) any amount for which You are liable to Europcar under the
Rental Agreement, in respect of a breach of the Rental Agreement
or for damage or loss to the Vehicle or third party property
Jan 30, 2015, 10:33 pm
#263
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 176
I got one around melbourne, did some research and found that if it's your first offence and if it was something like 10 over the limit at the most it can be forgiven. I followed their instructions and mailed it in, but they denied me. Not a chance Ill be paying this lol
Mar 4, 2015, 5:54 am
#264
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Egham, Surrey, UK
Programs: Mucci Champion des Champions, BAG4L, *A Gold, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz Gold, Avis President
Posts: 3,416
Police scam?
Picked up a rental car at ASP on Monday to drive to Kings Canyon. Had plenty of time so weren't hurrying. Stopped for lunch and petrol and rejoined highway toward Ayers Rock which has speed limit of 110K.
Approaching a very steep crest I kept the gas on to get over the top. On the descent we started to accelerate so I took my foot off the gas and started to brake.
A few 100 metres later saw a blue car approaching which then lit up. Stopped and two cos got out and said I had been doing about 125 for a short period.
Very chatty cops. Appears they know this crest is steep and catches out tourists driving an unfamiliar car. They catch tourist every day they boasted because as soon as they come over the crest they are accelerating so 90% of them will be speeding and can be caught.
Seems to be nothing about road safety but revenue collection for NT government. When I have been caught on camera in VIC or NSW I have always dealt with it. I have a real issue with this encounter.
Any advice?
Approaching a very steep crest I kept the gas on to get over the top. On the descent we started to accelerate so I took my foot off the gas and started to brake.
A few 100 metres later saw a blue car approaching which then lit up. Stopped and two cos got out and said I had been doing about 125 for a short period.
Very chatty cops. Appears they know this crest is steep and catches out tourists driving an unfamiliar car. They catch tourist every day they boasted because as soon as they come over the crest they are accelerating so 90% of them will be speeding and can be caught.
Seems to be nothing about road safety but revenue collection for NT government. When I have been caught on camera in VIC or NSW I have always dealt with it. I have a real issue with this encounter.
Any advice?
Mar 4, 2015, 7:03 am
#265
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,504
Picked up a rental car at ASP on Monday to drive to Kings Canyon. Had plenty of time so weren't hurrying. Stopped for lunch and petrol and rejoined highway toward Ayers Rock which has speed limit of 110K.
Approaching a very steep crest I kept the gas on to get over the top. On the descent we started to accelerate so I took my foot off the gas and started to brake.
A few 100 metres later saw a blue car approaching which then lit up. Stopped and two cos got out and said I had been doing about 125 for a short period.
Very chatty cops. Appears they know this crest is steep and catches out tourists driving an unfamiliar car. They catch tourist every day they boasted because as soon as they come over the crest they are accelerating so 90% of them will be speeding and can be caught.
Seems to be nothing about road safety but revenue collection for NT government. When I have been caught on camera in VIC or NSW I have always dealt with it. I have a real issue with this encounter.
Any advice?
Approaching a very steep crest I kept the gas on to get over the top. On the descent we started to accelerate so I took my foot off the gas and started to brake.
A few 100 metres later saw a blue car approaching which then lit up. Stopped and two cos got out and said I had been doing about 125 for a short period.
Very chatty cops. Appears they know this crest is steep and catches out tourists driving an unfamiliar car. They catch tourist every day they boasted because as soon as they come over the crest they are accelerating so 90% of them will be speeding and can be caught.
Seems to be nothing about road safety but revenue collection for NT government. When I have been caught on camera in VIC or NSW I have always dealt with it. I have a real issue with this encounter.
Any advice?
One twenty five in a 110 zone in the middle of nowhere and being fined is just ridiculous.
Mar 4, 2015, 9:41 pm
#266
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
They'll sell it off to a collection agency eventually, who will probably not bother chasing it, except for, perhaps, a letter. You could always write a letter yourself saying you didn't see you'd gone over the limit etc, but I wouldn't bother.
One twenty five in a 110 zone in the middle of nowhere and being fined is just ridiculous.
One twenty five in a 110 zone in the middle of nowhere and being fined is just ridiculous.
BTW, I thought they were experimenting with going back to no speed limits in the NT. I don't think it applies to this road, but it sure violates the "spirit" of that initiative if you're going to ticket tiny speed infractions on other major (and unpopulated) roads.
Mar 31, 2015, 11:09 am
#267
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 7
They have now slapped on a reminder fee of about $80 and the next time a victim of crime fee of $180, when are they going to give up? As the original fine has now tripled. If it keeps going up at this rate they will file extradition papers because of the amount involved.
Victim of crime? Doing 59kph at 5am in the morn, oh please!!!!
Victim of crime? Doing 59kph at 5am in the morn, oh please!!!!
Last edited by Nick2008; Mar 31, 2015 at 11:23 am
Mar 31, 2015, 12:38 pm
#269
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: The electrified part of North Carolina
Programs: UA GM, AA GM, DL GM
Posts: 4,157
They have now slapped on a reminder fee of about $80 and the next time a victim of crime fee of $180, when are they going to give up? As the original fine has now tripled. If it keeps going up at this rate they will file extradition papers because of the amount involved.
Victim of crime? Doing 59kph at 5am in the morn, oh please!!!!
Victim of crime? Doing 59kph at 5am in the morn, oh please!!!!
Mar 31, 2015, 2:23 pm
#270
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Katoomba (Blue Mountains)
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Posts: 8,083
Dave