Navigating the complexities of vehicle ownership and traffic fines can be a headache at the best of times, but imagine being held accountable for a hefty speeding fine for a vehicle you've never driven, let alone owned.

This was the bewildering situation faced by a Victorian woman, which serves as a cautionary tale for all of us, especially as we grow older and more reliant on the accuracy of bureaucratic systems.

Danielle Maughan, a 52-year-old resident of Baranduda near Wodonga in Victoria, was left stunned when she received a $574 speeding fine in the mail.

The fine was for a truck caught speeding along the Great Western Highway in the country NSW town of Hartley—six hours away from her home.

A Victorian woman received a hefty speeding fine for a truck she did not own or operate. Credit: Nine / YouTube

To add to her woes, she also received a letter from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator for failing to stop at a truck safety station, which could incur a fine exceeding $6,000 if not adequately addressed.

The truck in question was somehow registered in Ms Maughan's name, which baffled her and VicRoads and NSW Revenue.

'I've never had a speeding fine, I've never had a parking ticket, and I've had some health issues that I'm dealing with, so I really didn't need this on top,' Ms Maughan expressed.

The predicament highlights a critical issue affecting anyone, particularly seniors who may need to be more familiar with vehicle registration and traffic law.

It raises the question: How does one prove they never owned something they never owned?

Ms Maughan was adamant about her innocence, stating that the offences occurred on 12 September, when she was verifiably in Melbourne's CBD with her partner.

She had a train ticket and an email confirmation of a meeting to prove her whereabouts, yet when she contacted Revenue NSW, she was met with a disheartening response: 'Not sure, but the onus is on you.'

The ordeal suggested that Ms Maughan might have to navigate the court system to clear her name, a daunting prospect considering the closest courthouse is a six-hour drive from her home.

The financial and emotional toll of such a process can be significant, particularly for seniors with fixed incomes or health concerns.

Fortunately, after Ms Maughan's story gained media attention, VicRoads and Revenue NSW took action to rectify the situation.

Revenue NSW admitted that incorrect information provided by VicRoads was the root of the problem.

'VicRoads provided incorrect information to Revenue NSW, resulting in a fine being issued to the wrong person,' Revenue NSW stated.

The fines were withdrawn once the correct details were supplied, and Ms Maughan was relieved of the burden.

Key Takeaways

• A Victorian woman received a hefty speeding fine for a truck she did not own or operate.
• Danielle Maughan faced penalties, including a potential fine of over $6,000 for not stopping at a truck safety station despite having no connection to the vehicle.
• An administrative error by VicRoads led to the incorrect issuance of fines, which were subsequently cancelled after media attention.
• Revenue NSW and VicRoads rectified the mistake, stating that they rely on information from VicRoads and cannot independently verify its accuracy.

Have you or someone you know ever faced a similar bureaucratic mix-up? How was it resolved? Share your stories and tips in the comments below.

 

[Iggydi]

Don't you love it when the different state authorities blame one another. It's quite funny if it wasn't so stressful for poor Ms Maughan.

 

[Iggydi]

This brings me to a palm off from Qld state government and the Local council in the Redlands. Apparently neither of them own or operate the traffic lights in Capalaba. They just dropped out of the sky one day and landed in place. The story is I was annoyed one day after coming home from work in the bus and it took us 15 minutes to get through 1 set of lights which ultimately made me miss the last connecting bus to my place. So I wrote to the Council about the lights, their response was we are not in charge of them it's the QLD government. So I wrote to the QLD government and they said the same so, I had the biggest dummy spit emailing and including them both in the email saying "What do the bloody lights just drop out of the sky" A day later the light were fixed and I never missed my connecting bus again.

 

[Veggiepatch]

The ordeal suggested that Ms Maughan might have to navigate the court system to clear her name, a daunting prospect considering the closest courthouse is a six-hour drive from her home.

What a load of bullshit! Baranduda is about 12 kilometres from Wodonga and a little further to Albury. Both towns have local courts. She must be driving via Echuca and Shepparton on a mobility scooter!

 

[Iggydi]

The ordeal suggested that Ms Maughan might have to navigate the court system to clear her name, a daunting prospect considering the closest courthouse is a six-hour drive from her home.

What a load of bullshit! Baranduda is about 12 kilometres from Wodonga and a little further to Albury. Both towns have local courts. She must be driving via Echuca and Shepparton on a mobility scooter!

Only the facts have been changed to make it newsworthy

 

[Suzanne rose]

What a joke !!

A few years ago my son had his Nissan Silvia stolen from our driveway.

Incredibly a week after it was stolen, my son was in his friend's car when a car pulled up at the lights next to them. My son realised it was his car. He jumped out and ran around to verify something at the back and saw it was definitely his car. He went to the driver's door and tried to open it but the driver had the door locked.

The driver was a middle eastern man and all he was saying was Sorry Bro.

My son called the police again and all they told him was they believed they knew who stole his car and were under surveillance. My son asked for the address which of course wasn't given.

Six months later my son received a fine for speeding in the M5 tunnel and a top up for the tolls. Both these were on his stolen car.

He had to go on to prove he wasn't driving it.
He also asked for camera footage but was never given it

He then cancelled his rego and never recieved any more toll notices after that

That was the last he ever heard anything about the car.
Unfortunately it wasn't insured and he had still owed $40,000 on it.

 

[Dennis]

Dennis R's Morning Pun. What games do elephants play in a Volkswagen? Squash.

 

[Dennis]

The first thing I would do if a could afford a car over $44,000 is insure it, even before driving out the place I bought it from.

 

[harrywwc]

Only the facts have been changed to make it newsworthy

The ordeal suggested that Ms Maughan might have to navigate the court system to clear her name, a daunting prospect considering the closest courthouse is a six-hour drive from her home.

What a load of bullshit! Baranduda is about 12 kilometres from Wodonga and a little further to Albury. Both towns have local courts. She must be driving via Echuca and Shepparton on a mobility scooter!

I suspect you'll find that as the offense was (supposedly) near Hartley on the Great Western Highway, any court appearance would be at Lithgow - i.e. "most convenient" for NSW State Revenue, and not for Ms Maughan. And Lithgow is some 6 and a half hours drive from Baranduda according to google maps.

 

[Nugget]

That idiot in Revenue NSW who said the onus is on her, needs to be sacked for not doing their job.

 

[Suzanne rose]

The first thing I would do if a could afford a car over $44,000 is insure it, even before driving out the place I bought it from.

Son learnt a very valuable lesson , he loss more than $40,000 that's how much he had still to pay on it

 

[Buchanfarmer]

A few years ago I received a speeding fine for 120 kmph over the Westgate Bridge. I laughed for two simple reasons. First it has been about 20 years since being in that area. Second the registration number was my tractor. Now it was a 90h- tractor, maximum speed being about 40 kmph.
wrote to Vic Roads, never heard about it again.

 

[JustJane]

I hope she also received an apology for the distress this error caused her.

 

[NotNats]

That idiot in Revenue NSW who said the onus is on her, needs to be sacked for not doing their job.

typical law everywhere - It's NOT their job to prove that you are innocent, you HAVE to prove your innocent.

 

[BruceC]

Simple!
Get a signed Affidavit and send it in.
If that doesn't work get a solicitor.
The costs will be awarded against the authority.
Not even a newsworthy story and once again the headline is scaremongering rubbish!

 

[David Sully]

I had an issue with VicRoads as they sent me an invoice for a trailer that they said that I had purchased. I approached VicRoads at Wodonga and told them that I have never seen this particular trailer and never purchased it. I was then given a stat dec and then had to go to the local police station to get a signature and verify all my details. Then back to VicRoads to submit the form only to be told “very occasionally” this happens when someone within the organisation types in a licence number incorrectly! However, it is up to the person receiving the bill to prove your innocence! All done and dusted now.

 

[Tigers]

This should NEVER HAVE EVEN MADE IT TO THE MEDIA....................( but thats GOVERNMENTS for you.

 

[Luckyus]

Revenue NSW admitted that incorrect information provided by VicRoads was the root of the problem. Victoria not only broke, but apparently contemptibly inept, Why am I not surprised.

 

[Kman]

Don't you love it when the different state authorities blame one another. It's quite funny if it wasn't so stressful for poor Ms Maughan.

Same as politicians blaming the other parties.

 

[Furbaby]

We live in country NSW but have a toll account set up for the family. Anyway, we just bought a Toyota hilux Ute from Melbourne and got it registered in NSW once we arrived. Two months later I received a statement from service NSW that some money was taken off our account so checking the statement I find that the Ute’s number plate that I had added to the account was charged for going on the M4. I was shocked as it was parked in our garage on the day in question and we were at a 50th birthday party 7 hrs away. I complained and said the type of vehicle we had and where we were and they refunded our charged amount. Always pays to read the statements.