Aussie drivers outraged by increasingly common roadside act: 'Lose your licence quickly'

A mobile speed camera supposedly spotted hidden in bushes on the side of a stretch of rural road has shocked motorists.

A 'sneaky' speed camera hidden in bushes on the side of the rural Queensland road.
A 'sneaky' speed camera hidden in bushes has divided Aussies concerned about the lack of signs warning it was there. Source: TikTok/Getty

An eagle-eyed Aussie has sparked a heated debate after calling out a “sneaky” tripod-mounted camera she claims was hidden in bushes to catch speeding motorists. Shocking footage of the barely-visible fixture has left drivers conflicted about whether it was legally positioned.

The video was filmed on a rural road in Queensland by a content creator for the EasyAs Driver Training school. She pointed out that there were no warning signs in the area, suggesting it was a cheeky trap.

Stuart Thistlewood, CEO of The Instructor College which owns EasyAs, told Yahoo News the clip was posted online as a “light-hearted observation” with a serious underlying message — to educate Learner drivers and P-platers to keep an eye out or face “losing your licence very quickly”.

“These types of cameras are becoming more common and while we understand the need for enforcement, their sudden appearance can catch drivers off guard, particularly newer drivers who may feel less confident," he said.

“Learner drivers and P-platers in particular should always drive slightly under the speed limit as they have fewer points to spare.”

The training school said it recommends motorists “stay a couple of kms under the speed limit so you don’t accidentally go over”. “This will allow you to keep an eye on the situation around you whilst keeping your speed under control.”

It is the latest report of a “hidden” speed camera — in addition to ones disguised in machinery at worksites and in school zone speed limit signs — as authorities get even more creative in their quest to catch drivers travelling too fast on the state's roads.

The camera, which is believed to be operated by Queensland Police and located on a road in Yugar on the outskirts of Brisbane, has ignited a discussion around whether it was legal to hide the tripod in bushes without signs warning motorists their speed was being checked.

A school zone sign containing a speed camera (left) and a road works machine containing a speed camera (right).
Queensland has also introduced other types of hidden speed cameras including ones disguised in machinery at worksites and in school zone speed limit signs. Source: Transport and Main Roads Queensland

“While signage can certainly help raise awareness and promote safe driving, there’s also a case to be made that the unpredictability of mobile cameras encourages drivers to maintain safe speeds consistently, rather than only in areas where they know cameras are present,” Thistlewood told Yahoo.

“For Learners and P-Platers, we emphasise the importance of driving within the speed limits at all times to develop good habits early on.”

According to the Department of Main Roads, marked and covert or “unmarked” speed check vehicles and devices have been used across the state for years, although a spokesperson indicated this specific one was operated by Queensland Police.

A Queensland Police spokesperson said they were “unable to verify the location or camera” from the social media video and “therefore cannot comment on its use”.

“However, a TruCam speed camera can be tripod-mounted and has been used by the Queensland Police Service for several years,” they added.

In the comments on the driving school’s post, many people pointed out that in some states like NSW, signs are required to warn drivers when roads were being monitored by speed cameras, while others claimed they were more about raising revenue than safety.

According to Transport for NSW, the use of camera advisory signs is not legally required in the jurisdiction but is part of the government's policy to “alert motorists that they are approaching a fixed digital speed camera”.

While camera vehicles in both states are marked, Queensland operates 30 per cent that are unmarked.

One fellow Aussie commented on the video: “A speed camera is kinda pointless if you have enough time to slow down and then just speed up again. The point is to not speed cause you know you won’t spot it before you get done.”

Many others were outraged by the camera placement, with one posting: “That's wrong.”

Another bluntly said: “How about just not speed. Won't have an issue if you don't.”

Driving at least 11km over, but less than 20km more than the speed limit in Queensland can attract fines of $464 and three demerit points, while driving 20km over but under 30km more than the speed limit carried fines of $696 and four demerit points.

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