Navigating the bustling streets of Australia can be a challenge for any driver.

For one grandmother, a routine journey has turned into a legal battle that captured the community's attention.

Aged care worker Sue Beltran took a stand against what she called an unjust traffic fine.

The incident occurred last September in Emington, where Ms Beltran received a $544 fine and three demerit points for allegedly running a red light.

'I'm not young myself, and I'm working to make ends meet. This fine is just an added sort of slap in the face,' Ms Beltran lamented.

Beating the red light is one of the most common offences in driving. Image Credit: Pexels/Karol D

Ms Beltran, a conscientious motorist, safely transports four of her clients daily.

She admitted to being over the white line at the traffic signal, but Ms Beltran insisted that she did not complete the turn.

According to her account, a stalled car in the middle made her situation complicated, and another vehicle stopped halfway before turning.

With a driver tailgating her, Ms Beltran felt she had no option but to stay in place.

The fine was a bitter pill for Ms Beltran to swallow, especially after showing proof supporting her claim.

Despite her protests and an appeal for leniency, Revenue NSW maintained that no discretion could be applied due to the serious nature of the offence.

However, Ms Beltran refused to back down and decided to challenge the fine in court.

Ms Beltran's decision garnered support from various quarters, including the opposition transport spokesperson, Natalie Ward.

Ms Ward pointed out that the intersection in question often caused confusion among drivers and stated that 'there should be discretion to review situations like this'.

Ms Beltran's court challenge was more than just a personal crusade; it became a fight for fairness in traffic enforcement.

As we await the outcome of this legal showdown, it's worth considering the broader implications of Ms Beltran's fight.

Seniors like Ms Beltran should always know their rights—whether regarding road rules or other disputes happening on the daily.

Legal Aid NSW released the latest version of Legal Topics for Seniors Diary, which contains the rights and responsibilities of seniors living in NSW.

The Legal Topics for Seniors Diary has both physical and digital copies.

Key Takeaways

• Central Coast local Sue Beltran received a $544 fine and three demerit points for allegedly running a red light in Sydney.
• Beltran, an aged care worker, insisted that she was responsible and concerned for the safety of her clients, which she transports daily.
• Although she crossed over the white line, she argued she did not complete the turn due to being blocked and unable to reverse.
• She started questioning the fine in court despite Revenue NSW initially denying her leniency.

Have you ever contested a traffic fine during your time? Do you believe there should be more leniency in certain driving situations? Join the conversation and share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments below!

 

[richmich.4422@gmail]

If what Ms Beltran says is true & has the photographic evidence to prove her situation, then I'd be taking it to court as well. I reckon that any sensible magistrate would dismiss the case without question.

A tad of sensibility should rule supreme.

NOVEZAR.

 

[Inot54]

Maybe I’m wrong but isn’t the law that you don’t queue across an intersection? You wait behind the white line until you have a clear path to cross intersection. Granted most people move forward, expecting the traffic in front to flow and give you time to complete crossing but when an unexpected problem arises it leaves you stranded in the middle of intersection. Can’t see a court ruling going in her favour.

 

[Viellarde]

Maybe I’m wrong but isn’t the law that you don’t queue across an intersection? You wait behind the white line until you have a clear path to cross intersection. Granted most people move forward, expecting the traffic in front to flow and give you time to complete crossing but when an unexpected problem arises it leaves you stranded in the middle of intersection. Can’t see a court ruling going in her favour.

She had nowhere to go because of the broken-down car ahead.

 

[janj]

What does NOVEZAR mean please

 

[Jo Piper3]

What does NOVEZAR mean please

Thanks, I was wondering that myself.

 

[Towing]

Maybe I’m wrong but isn’t the law that you don’t queue across an intersection? You wait behind the white line until you have a clear path to cross intersection. Granted most people move forward, expecting the traffic in front to flow and give you time to complete crossing but when an unexpected problem arises it leaves you stranded in the middle of intersection. Can’t see a court ruling going in her favour.

If you waited until the road is clear you would never be able to turn at some corners. This was at traffic lights. Do we a lane and have turning lights as well and meaning there is more light sequences. Where I used to live there traffic lights that had a special sequence. I timed my wait time a couple of times and it was 4(yes 4) minutes

 

[Baz1960]

Yes, the law is black and white. The article does not state if it was "red light" fine or a police officer. Cameras do not discriminate. Either you crossed the line with a red light or not. Most police use their discretion as they can view all the evidence and situation. The driver admits to crossing the white line. But the law states you must only only proceed if the intersection is clear and safe to do so. So technically, she may well be in breach. Though court has the ability to overturn fines in mitiating circumstances. Yes, we all make err's and mistakes in judgement. But remember, courts are legal systems, not justice systems, there is a big difference. Good luck to Ms Beltran's with her appeal. Hopefully, she has an understanding magistrate.

 

[Greg350]

Maybe I’m wrong but isn’t the law that you don’t queue across an intersection? You wait behind the white line until you have a clear path to cross intersection. Granted most people move forward, expecting the traffic in front to flow and give you time to complete crossing but when an unexpected problem arises it leaves you stranded in the middle of intersection. Can’t see a court ruling going in her favour.

You are correct, yes most people do follow the leader but strictly you shouldn't unless it is absolutely clear that your path will be clear. Just another driver who can't take responsibility for their actions.

 

[Greg350]

Red light fines are triggered when the vehicle passes over and leaves the solid Stop line AFTER the light has gone Red.

There is at least 4 seconds of Yellow, more if higher speed zones, if you are turning speeds are slow, ample time to Stop.

 

[Gil]

What does NOVEZAR mean please

I think NOVEZAR is just a name - probably a surname. Not too sure why it was used in this instance.

 

[relljube]

I think NOVEZAR is just a name - probably a surname. Not too sure why it was used in this instance.

I've been wondering also but didn't want to show my "igorance" by asking - waiting with bated breath to find out.

 

[Mummanew]

It's always been my understanding that it's illegal to enter an intersection without being able to completely finish going all the way through it. But if this lady was only slightly over the white line it seems a bit nit picky to fine her.

 

[RobbyNotTheRobot]

Just to answer the last question of have I contested a fine?
Yes I have about 4 times over the years with only one sticking.
One time I got a fine from a speeding camera for going 86kmph in an 80 zone in the Eastern Distributor tunnel Sydney. I contested that and got off with a warning. My defense is having a gold license and not being fined for 25 years and only just entered the tunnel and its different inside to judge speed without looking down to the speedo which was not safe at the time with heaps of others there to look out for. That is a advantage to use but only if it is obvious that I was not hooning
One other time was being stopped by the Police for not indicating a turn and got off with a warning when they checked my record

 

[richmich.4422@gmail]

Thanks, I was wondering that myself.

Hi to janj, Jo Piper3, Gil & Relljube,
To let you all know, &, if you all still have the posting of the joke "Walk like an Egytian", I posted an answer to the same "?" just today. Many have queried why I sign off as I do.
Would you believe, I've answered the same query quite some time ago as well.
As the cliche goes "Curiosity killed the cat". But, not in this case.

In short, a username I previously used & lost the use of same. More fully explained in the mentioned "Egyptian" post.
Enjoy & hopefully answers all queries.

NOVEZAR.

I've been wondering also but didn't want to show my "igorance" by asking - waiting with bated breath to find out.

Hi relljube,
See answer to Jo Piper3, why. Then a little further back.

NOVEZAR.

I think NOVEZAR is just a name - probably a surname. Not too sure why it was used in this instance.

Hi Gil,
See answer to Jo Piper3, why. Then a liitle further back.

NOVEZAR.

 

[richmich.4422@gmail]

What does NOVEZAR mean please

Hi janj.
See answer to my reply to Jo Piper3.
Sorry, I should have sent that reply to you, which I sent off today, why.
You'll then have to go back just a little further for my fuller explanation.
Many have made the same querie as yourself.

NOVEZAR.

 

[Jo Piper3]

Hi janj.
See answer to my reply to Jo Piper3.
Sorry, I should have sent that reply to you, which I sent off today, why.
You'll then have to go back just a little further for my fuller explanation.
Many have made the same querie as yourself.

NOVEZAR.

Thanks, I found it. Take care