‘This is a joke’: Grandmother slams $1,209 fine for road rule breach, cuts back Christmas spending
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In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it's easy to make a mistake. But when it comes to road rules, even a small slip can lead to a hefty price, as a 70-year-old grandmother discovered to her dismay.
The incident has drawn attention to the strict laws in place to prevent distractions on the road, with authorities stressing the importance of safe driving practices.
As the conversation around road safety continues, many are questioning whether the current laws are too harsh or necessary for reducing accidents and promoting responsible driving.
A grandmother has reduced her Christmas spending after using more than two weeks' worth of her pension to pay off a fine for violating a driving rule.
Maree Bauer, 70, like many, was simply going about her day, driving along the Capricorn Highway in Emerald, west of Rockhampton in Queensland, when she was caught in a situation that many drivers might find themselves in: her thumb was resting on her mobile phone, which was lying on top of her handbag.
The phone was not in her hand, per se, but according to Queensland's stringent driving laws, this counted as ‘using her phone while driving’. The result? A staggering $1,209 fine and four demerit points were deducted from her license.
For Maree, whose weekly pension is approximately $557, this fine was more than a fortnight's income.
It's a financial blow that would be tough for anyone to absorb, but it's especially challenging for seniors on a fixed income.
The size of the fine is particularly noteworthy when compared to other Australian states: it's nearly triple the $410 fine in New South Wales and more than double what drivers in Victoria ($593) and South Australia ($540) would pay for the same offence.
The image captured by a mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera showed Maree's thumb in contact with her phone.
However, Maree insists she was merely ensuring the phone didn't move while she used Google Maps for directions.
‘I don't consider that as being on my body. It's just ridiculous,’ she argued.
She also pointed out that another photo attached to the fine showed her eyes were on the road, indicating minimal attention to her phone.
Despite feeling that the rule is ‘ridiculous’ and the fine excessive, Maree admitted she's ‘not innocent’.
She typically used her phone through her car's Bluetooth system and was shocked by the penalty. ‘This is a joke,’ she thought, as the reality of the situation set in.
With Christmas approaching, Maree had to tighten her belt and cut back on holiday spending to manage the unexpected expense.
She even resorted to ‘counting up my change tin’, a humble savings method many seniors might relate to, to see if she could scrape through the festive season.
‘I just have to cop it. I don't have money to fight it…and besides, you can't beat it, you can't win,’ Maree resignedly stated.
Queensland's laws are clear: it's illegal for drivers to have a phone resting on any part of their body, even if it's in their lap or just touching a thumb.
A Queensland Revenue Office (QRO) spokesman explained that all offenses caught by detection cameras are reviewed by officers before a fine is issued, ensuring that the process is thorough.
‘Camera images are initially filtered by Artificial Intelligence software which detects if there was possible illegal use of a mobile phone by the driver,’ the spokesman said.
‘If a possible offence is detected, the images are reviewed by two authorised officers within QRO to determine whether to issue an infringement.’
Maree Bauer's experience highlights the financial strain that can come with driving fines, especially for seniors living on a fixed income.
However, she's not the only one feeling the weight of hefty penalties. Another senior driver is now challenging a significant fine in court after facing a $544 charge for a driving violation.
As more older Australians navigate the challenges of driving regulations, the impact of fines is prompting some to seek legal recourse, aiming to ease the financial burden.
Members, we'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Have you or someone you know been caught out by what seemed like an overzealous application of driving laws? How do you manage the balance between staying connected and staying on the right side of the law while on the road? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below—your insights could be invaluable to fellow drivers!
The incident has drawn attention to the strict laws in place to prevent distractions on the road, with authorities stressing the importance of safe driving practices.
As the conversation around road safety continues, many are questioning whether the current laws are too harsh or necessary for reducing accidents and promoting responsible driving.
A grandmother has reduced her Christmas spending after using more than two weeks' worth of her pension to pay off a fine for violating a driving rule.
Maree Bauer, 70, like many, was simply going about her day, driving along the Capricorn Highway in Emerald, west of Rockhampton in Queensland, when she was caught in a situation that many drivers might find themselves in: her thumb was resting on her mobile phone, which was lying on top of her handbag.
The phone was not in her hand, per se, but according to Queensland's stringent driving laws, this counted as ‘using her phone while driving’. The result? A staggering $1,209 fine and four demerit points were deducted from her license.
Maree Bauer, 70, was fined $1,209 for resting her thumb on her phone while driving. Credit: Yahoo News Australia
For Maree, whose weekly pension is approximately $557, this fine was more than a fortnight's income.
It's a financial blow that would be tough for anyone to absorb, but it's especially challenging for seniors on a fixed income.
The size of the fine is particularly noteworthy when compared to other Australian states: it's nearly triple the $410 fine in New South Wales and more than double what drivers in Victoria ($593) and South Australia ($540) would pay for the same offence.
The image captured by a mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera showed Maree's thumb in contact with her phone.
However, Maree insists she was merely ensuring the phone didn't move while she used Google Maps for directions.
‘I don't consider that as being on my body. It's just ridiculous,’ she argued.
She also pointed out that another photo attached to the fine showed her eyes were on the road, indicating minimal attention to her phone.
Despite feeling that the rule is ‘ridiculous’ and the fine excessive, Maree admitted she's ‘not innocent’.
She typically used her phone through her car's Bluetooth system and was shocked by the penalty. ‘This is a joke,’ she thought, as the reality of the situation set in.
With Christmas approaching, Maree had to tighten her belt and cut back on holiday spending to manage the unexpected expense.
She even resorted to ‘counting up my change tin’, a humble savings method many seniors might relate to, to see if she could scrape through the festive season.
‘I just have to cop it. I don't have money to fight it…and besides, you can't beat it, you can't win,’ Maree resignedly stated.
Queensland's laws are clear: it's illegal for drivers to have a phone resting on any part of their body, even if it's in their lap or just touching a thumb.
A Queensland Revenue Office (QRO) spokesman explained that all offenses caught by detection cameras are reviewed by officers before a fine is issued, ensuring that the process is thorough.
‘Camera images are initially filtered by Artificial Intelligence software which detects if there was possible illegal use of a mobile phone by the driver,’ the spokesman said.
‘If a possible offence is detected, the images are reviewed by two authorised officers within QRO to determine whether to issue an infringement.’
Maree Bauer's experience highlights the financial strain that can come with driving fines, especially for seniors living on a fixed income.
However, she's not the only one feeling the weight of hefty penalties. Another senior driver is now challenging a significant fine in court after facing a $544 charge for a driving violation.
As more older Australians navigate the challenges of driving regulations, the impact of fines is prompting some to seek legal recourse, aiming to ease the financial burden.
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