Gotcha! Which traffic offences can be caught on camera?

What offences can cameras catch you committing when driving?

It has long been tempting to words like 'stupid' before the term “road safety cameras” but the bad news is they becoming not only more prevalent but smarter and more sophisticated, with the ability to detect even more unsafe driving behaviours through hidden and signposted type traffic cameras.

Read more

• How to check if you've been caught by a speed camera
• Mobile Speed Cameras: Everything you need to know
• How to check if you've been caught by a red light camera

Whilst what is declared a criminal road safety violation varies from state to state, just as the size of fines and the number of demerit points do, the technology and manner of detection remains the same.

Australian roads are now dotted with all types of traffic cameras; mobile, manual and fixed speed cameras, red light cameras, bus lane cameras and the general road safety camera.

Having recently seen a close relative, who has P plates, cop the stinging punishment of a red light camera - first in his heart, then in his wallet - it is my solemn duty to inform you which offences can be caught on camera whilst driving, and what to keep your eyes peeled for on the open road.

The most common camera you’ll run into as an Australian driver is the red-light speed camera, with more than 200 in NSW and around 170 across Qld and Vic.

I’m sure there is a statue to the person who came up with this wondrous two-fer - a device that catches red-light offences when they occur, but uses the same camera to catch people speeding through an intersection no matter the colour of the light.

Red-light speed cameras work to detect both driving speed and red-light violation offences, in which the rear wheels of a vehicle cross the stop line after the red light at an intersection has engaged.

Red-light speed cameras also serve to detect passing vehicle’s km/h regardless of what colour the traffic lights are, meaning twice the threat of demerit points for dangerous drivers. Can you be caught speeding by a red light/speed camera on a green light - yes you can, and on an orange one, too.

Upon an offence triggering the system the camera will most likely emit a bright flash, then save the timestamp, licence plate information and a digital record of the offence for later review. These are not photos of you and your car you will want to keep.

Fixed speed cameras operate similarly to red-light speed cameras, with less offensive capabilities that allow them to capture speeding offences and unlicensed driving.

Do speed cameras detect unregistered cars? Well yes, and no, because they can in some jurisdictions and some cases, but not others. Better not to take that risk, and no one should drive an unregistered car anyway.

Speaking of risk, some clever speed cameras can even catch you from side on, particularly if you’re driving on a multi-lane road, although the camera is going to have to get at least some glimpse of your number plate to know where to send the fine.

You’ll most likely find these cameras situated in heavy-traffic areas, usually with signage notifying drivers towards their existence (although not in some states, most infamously Victoria, which likes to hide its speed cameras).

Mobile speed cameras are run by bored road safety officers and operate almost identically to fixed speed cameras except, due to their limited ability, they are only able to detect the speed of vehicles travelling in the direction from the side of the road they’re on.

Mobile speed cameras are only able to catch speeding offences and unregistered/unlicensed vehicles, and in some states are also legally required to have at least two portable warning signs on approach.

Another kind of mobile speed camera, that can get you while 
it's moving is the type used in police cars, or highway patrol vehicles. These cameras are the old school ones that even older drivers can remember, and there is no way of knowing where or when you will see one.

Whilst all Australian states are required to publish their speeding camera locations, states like Victoria and Queensland are exempt from on-road signage indicating upcoming cameras, infamously hiding speed cameras anywhere they can.

Road safety cameras, otherwise referred to as enforcement cameras or vehicle monitoring cameras, are the miscellaneous middle child of the Australian traffic-camera family.

Where red-light speed cameras and fixed/mobile speed cameras have clear, identifiable goals with the traffic offences they seek to detect, road safety cameras are still between jobs in their 30s and “considering music or something” as a career.

Road safety cameras detect all the offences that the aforementioned cameras don’t specialise in; not wearing a seatbelt, unregistered and unlicensed vehicles, driving without hands on the wheel, using a mobile phone whilst driving, having more passengers than legal in your vehicle, driving without correct license identification (P plates, L plates, etc.), and driving in a bus lane.

Whilst the ability to detect these offences doesn’t differ from state-to-state, the fines, demerit points and enforcement can vary.

You might also see signs warning of vehicle monitoring cameras and wonder if vehicle monitoring camera are speed cameras. While they can be involved in speed detection, these cameras are more commonly used for tracking the movement of heavy vehicles, and compliance with other regulations.

In the unfortunate case that you commit a traffic offence within viewing range of any one of these road safety enforcement cameras, you will be notified by digital and physical fine notices that contain all necessary information on demerit points and monetary compensation due.

In general, when it comes to who or what can catch you speeding, today, the answer is it's more common than ever. Basically, speeding is a mug’s game and you will get caught.