Navigating the roads can be a tricky business, and even the most seasoned drivers can sometimes find themselves in a bit of a pickle when it comes to interpreting traffic signals.

However, these situations can be particularly daunting and expensive for younger drivers who may not have the same level of experience.

This was what one young Aussie driver recently discovered after copping a fine for a traffic offence she claimed she had not committed, but not everyone agreed with her.

Charli, an 18-year-old year 12 student from Melbourne, found herself in hot water after making a turn at a traffic light on Fitzroy Street.

She was slapped with a $500 fine and docked three demerit points for what was alleged to be running a red light.

Charli, however, was adamant that the light was green when she followed several cars turning right during the incident.

Eighteen-year-old Australian driver Charli received a $500 fine and three demerit points for allegedly running a red light while turning right. Credit: Tiktok / @charliijjane

‘I’m turning right, it’s a green light. It’s safe to go,’ she insisted in a video she posted online.

‘They want me to pay $500 and lose three demerit points. I’m a year 12 student and I’m 18.’

‘One, I don’t have the money for that and I can’t lose demerit points, and I didn’t do anything wrong,' Charli continued.

Despite her conviction, Charli's appeal was denied, and she said she is considering taking the matter to court.

The evidence provided to her by transport authorities—a grainy image—left Australians divided over whether she should pay the fine or fight back.

‘Green light is to go straight, you turned right on a red arrow,’ one viewer commented. However, some disagreed and encouraged her to pursue legal action.

‘That intersection is the actual worst,’ another commenter wrote, noting that many others experience the same issue.

In a follow-up video, Charli expressed her resignation to the situation, sharing she would ‘have to pay it’.

‘Apparently, it’s a red arrow. I didn’t know that. You can't see it in the photos,’ she said.

‘It is what it is. I guess I’ll have to pay [for] it. It’s $500 and three demerit points later, but [because] I was halfway through the intersection, and my back tyres were not fully in, that’s triggered the camera.’

Charli's experience is not an isolated one. Red-light cameras across Australia have caught numerous drivers making similar mistakes.

In New South Wales, a driver faced a $544 fine for entering an ‘intersection after the light turned red’.

The ‘photographic evidence’ in that situation allegedly suggested the driver was turning right and ran a red light.

However, the driver contended they were just waiting for the cars in front to move so they could go straight through the green light.

Nevertheless, the city insisted they pay the fine, arguing that the motorist had attempted to turn right despite a clear red arrow.

Another Victorian driver received a $481 fine and three demerit points for going through a red light just after it changed, in a frantic effort to avoid a fire engine.

The penalties for running a red light differ by state.

In Victoria, disregarding traffic signals—both red lights and red arrows—results in a fine of $494 and three demerit points.

In Queensland, the cost is higher, with a $575 fine and three demerit points for the same offence.

As young drivers face hefty fines for common traffic light errors, the conversation around road safety becomes even more pressing.

This issue resonates deeply, especially for older Australians, who may find themselves navigating similar challenges on the roads.

In a heart-wrenching plea, an elderly driver has shared their experience following a tragic red-light accident, highlighting the critical need for awareness and understanding among all road users.

Key Takeaways

• An 18-year-old Australian driver named Charli was fined $500 and docked three demerit points for allegedly running a red light while turning right.
• Charli claimed the light was green and she didn't commit the offence, following several cars during the incident.
• Her appeal was denied, strongly dividing public opinion over the fairness of the fine and the clarity of traffic signals at the intersection.
• Red light camera fines are contentious in Australia, with various drivers facing hefty penalties, and the fines and demerit points varying across the states.

Have you or someone you know been caught out by a tricky traffic signal? How did you handle it? Share your stories and tips in the comments below to help fellow drivers navigate these confusing situations.

 

[Catherines]

Traffic fines are a money raising tax on poor people. A $1,000 fine for a $200,000/yr politician is no more than a nuisance. A $1,000 fine for a person struggling to pay their rent or mortage is a major disaster for them. Why not just have demerit points that hit the rich and poor equally.

Because the Albosleazy government is all about revenue. Every time they do something to make make us believe they care, they start revenue raising to make up for the lost money. Cops are corrupt and are only there to charge people with as many fines as possible to get as much money as they can. This always happens when Labor is in power. How else are they going to cover tax cuts and other rebates without revenue raising. Queensland has some of the most expensive fines in Australia and they push hard to hand out as fines as possible out to get the money. Labor is forever finding new ways to get money out of us.

Revenue raising??? or would you prefer the SMASH & possible DEATH & INJURY to yourself and the other driver and/or passengers? I know what I’d choose if I did the wrong thing.

However, in the photos provided in this article I do NOT see any evidence of an arrow - red or green, just the green light - but that’s not say there isn’t one. Again, I am not from Victoria so would not argue about their road rules. In Queensland some intersections have one side of the road given a green light about 30 seconds, perhaps even less, before the other side travelling in the opposite direction, and if you try to sneak in a quick turn you could find yourself in the middle of the intersection in an horrific smash when the other traffic starts moving with their green light. I know which I’d prefer - waiting another couple of minutes, if necessary, or finding myself and another car or even two in a crash killing the other drivers and/or killing myself or maiming myself and/or the other driver. Have you noticed how fast motorcyclists move off from traffic lights? Not just their speed, they also go past the stop line and squeeze their bikes and themselves between cars in two different lanes?

 

[ARL]

Because the Albosleazy government is all about revenue. Every time they do something to make make us believe they care, they start revenue raising to make up for the lost money. Cops are corrupt and are only there to charge people with as many fines as possible to get as much money as they can. This always happens when Labor is in power. How else are they going to cover tax cuts and other rebates without revenue raising. Queensland has some of the most expensive fines in Australia and they push hard to hand out as fines as possible out to get the money. Labor is forever finding new ways to get money out of us.

Um, the fine is for the state government. Facts matter

 

[marni]

Traffic fines are a money raising tax on poor people. A $1,000 fine for a $200,000/yr politician is no more than a nuisance. A $1,000 fine for a person struggling to pay their rent or mortage is a major disaster for them. Why not just have demerit points that hit the rich and poor equally.

How about just not doing anything g wrong

 

[Greg350]

How about just not doing anything g wrong

Pretty simple concept that these adults, who still think like children, can't understand. Can't take responsibility for their actions.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

Traffic fines are a money raising tax on poor people. A $1,000 fine for a $200,000/yr politician is no more than a nuisance. A $1,000 fine for a person struggling to pay their rent or mortage is a major disaster for them. Why not just have demerit points that hit the rich and poor equally.

Here's an idea if you don't break the Law you won't get fined for anything.

 

[ARL]

Pretty simple concept that these adults, who still think like children, can't understand. Can't take responsibility for their actions.

Gosh, can you see the arrow in the photo? How many smug condemning people here wear glasses, yet are claiming the arrow is perfectly clear.

 

[Greg350]

For all the revenue raising people, it's drivers choice. Why is it that most people manage to drive around for years and never get a fine, while others get multiple fines and often licence loss. I've had fines years ago, but everyone was deserved, I knew I was speeding, it wasn't accidental, going through a Red light is one of the easier fines to avoid, just stop for the bloody light.

 

[ARL]

For all the revenue raising people, it's drivers choice. Why is it that most people manage to drive around for years and never get a fine, while others get multiple fines and often licence loss. I've had fines years ago, but everyone was deserved, I knew I was speeding, it wasn't accidental, going through a Red light is one of the easier fines to avoid, just stop for the bloody light.

Most people have had at least one fine. Those with zero are a minority.

 

[Greg350]

Most people have had at least one fine. Those with zero are a minority.

So you've talked to the 19 million drivers in Australia? I can quickly think of 7 people who do not have one fine.

The stats show that 70% of the driving population do not have any demerit points on their licence. Now that's at least three years without a fine, of course they may have previous ones.

Now, please cite your evidence that "most people have had at least one fine"?

 

[ARL]

So you've talked to the 19 million drivers in Australia? I can quickly think of 7 people who do not have one fine.

The stats show that 70% of the driving population do not have any demerit points on their licence. Now that's at least three years without a fine, of course they may have previous ones.

Now, please cite your evidence that "most people have had at least one fine"?

As you said, PREVIOUS fines. And your evidence apart from 7 people is? I have worked as a driving instructor.
Fines are heavily dependant on distance driven, and to a less extent time of day.

 

[Gunpark]

If those are the photos the Police are relying on, take it to court as there is no sign of a Red arrow in either of those photos. You can defend yourself in court, just produce those to photos.

 

[midgemills]

Isn't it about time all states and territories have the same road rules and penalties. A lot of these issues can also happen to people who are driving from one state to another.

 

[Greg350]

As you said, PREVIOUS fines. And your evidence apart from 7 people is? I have worked as a driving instructor.
Fines are heavily dependant on distance driven, and to a less extent time of day.

A driving instructor, and the relevance of that? You teach them to pass a test and never seen them again, so how do you know what happens decades later.

And I said 7 people, that is my immediate family that I can quickly think of, probably far more, and what does it matter anyway. You said most people have had at least one fine, AND?????

 

[ARL]

If those are the photos the Police are relying on, take it to court as there is no sign of a Red arrow in either of those photos. You can defend yourself in court, just produce those to photos.

Agree. You can represent yourself as it is only magistrates court. Doubt there would be much to lose taking it there. Even if still found guilty would probably have fine reduced.

 

[ARL]

A driving instructor, and the relevance of that? You teach them to pass a test and never seen them again, so how do you know what happens decades later.

And I said 7 people, that is my immediate family that I can quickly think of, probably far more, and what does it matter anyway. You said most people have had at least one fine, AND?????

Yet to hear your relevance. Seven people make you an expert! What a joke. I think it makes you something else

 

[Greg350]

Isn't it about time all states and territories have the same road rules and penalties. A lot of these issues can also happen to people who are driving from one state to another.

Red lights are the same across the WORLD. And fines are State based, just like in the USA, Canada.

 

[Greg350]

If those are the photos the Police are relying on, take it to court as there is no sign of a Red arrow in either of those photos. You can defend yourself in court, just produce those to photos.

ALL camera photos issued by road authorities are of a lower resolution, the actual photos they have on file and available in court are high definition and the Red light will be clearly seen. If you enlarge the photos you can just see a colour difference where the Red light is.

 

[Jan Purcell]

All I can see is the green light

 

[ARL]

Red lights are the same across the WORLD. And fines are State based, just like in the USA, Canada.

All states have uniform road rules. Penalties can vary, and there may be one or 2 inconsistencies in the rules, but all major road rules are consistent across all states.

 

[GraemeKG]

I'm a resident of Sydney but am in Melbourne a few times each year. I know the St Kilda area and Fitzroy Street well. The intersection in question has a double set of traffic lights in the middle of the road just to the right of the right hand lane. The left hand set of lights on the pole are for traffic and the right hand set of lights on the pole are for the trams that frequently run along Fitzroy Street. The 'so called' red arrow does not exist as it is, in fact, a red 'T' signal for the trams to stop. When the red 'T signal is illuminated, traffic can then make a right hand turn.