Yahoo Finance Cop reveals how to dodge $1,028 fine after Aussie driver's $0 infringement: 'Excellent chance'
A cop has made a candid admission after a speeding driver got a fine for $0 not $1,028.
A South Australian driver has been confused after they were caught speeding and received a fine in the mail. While that doesn't sound like anything out of the ordinary, the fine they copped for going between 20 to 29 kilometres an hour over the limit was $0.
An infringement like that can usually set you back $1,028 and five demerit points. But a spokesperson for South Australia Police told Yahoo Finance there are some instances where a financial penalty isn't necessary.
"Police have used discretion in these circumstances and issued a caution to the offending driver for exceed speed," they said.
"The issuance of the notice is a formal way of recording the caution and is not a faulty fine."
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The driver said they were clocked speeding on Dukes Highway earlier this month.
The road went from an 80km/h zone to a 60km/h zone and the motorist admitted they slowed down "very late".
Police told the person they should expect to see something in the mail due to the infringement, but when the $0 fine arrived, it left more questions than answers.
Former cop's admission: How to get a warning instead of a fine
A former police officer weighed in when many Australians expressed shock that cautions were given out.
The officer detailed what helped a driver's chances of getting a warning in their experience.
"Driving record and attitude are the number one and two factors for whether a non-traffic cop gives a ticket," they said.
"Good record + don't lie = excellent chance of a warning. Traffic cops are less predictable."
But they reiterated that the driver's get-out-of-jail-free card was now gone.
"You got a break (it says caution) but it's in the system now," they said.
Do you have a story? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com
"A caution notice for 20-29kph over the limit? You guys in SA are living in heaven," an interstate driver wrote.
"Oath, in Queensland they’d slap the max fine, max demerits and they’ll be combing for something else," wrote another.
Yahoo Finance contacted state and territory police officials about their approach to cautions.
A spokesperson for New South Wales Police said drivers can be given speeding warnings.
Drivers will be issued a notice in the mail, but unlike SA, it won't look like a fine.
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson had bad news for drivers in the Sunshine State.
"Not a thing up in Queensland," they told Yahoo Finance.
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