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Aussie Driver Fined $661 for Flipping Off AI Camera
10 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Aussie motorist fined $661 for appearing to give AI camera the finger
- Driver claims he was not using phone, but camera detected a black rectangle on his lap
- Victorian government says AI cameras flag potential offenses for human review
On October 2025, an Australian motorist in Victoria was fined $661 for an unusual encounter with an AI-powered mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera. The driver, who was traveling with a passenger, passed the camera on the side of the road, and to his surprise, later received an infringement notice.
The driver argued he had been wrongly penalized, as the AI-generated image showed no mobile phone in his hands, and both hands were clearly visible above the steering wheel. However, eagle-eyed viewers on social media noticed a black rectangle on the driver's lap, which they claimed looked like a phone.
Under Victorian law, a mobile device cannot rest on any part of a driver's body, even if it is not being held. The driver was ultimately fined for this violation, despite his claims of innocence. The incident has sparked a debate about the accuracy and effectiveness of the AI-powered camera system.
