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Driver fined $661 after flipping off AI camera - but is that what really got him in trouble? Driver nabbed on mobile phone detection camera READ MORE: Woman hit with massive fine for act many don't realise is illegal By ANTOINETTE MILIENOS, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 00:03 GMT, 10 November 2025 | Updated: 00:03 GMT, 10 November 2025 An Aussie motorist who appeared to give an AI camera the finger has been hit with a $661 fine - but that’s probably not what got him fined. The Victorian man was travelling with a passenger when he passed an automated mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera on the side of the road. To his disbelief, he later received an infringement notice in October, despite wearing his seatbelt and, he claimed, not touching his phone. In a letter contesting the fine, shared to Council Government Watch Australia's Facebook page, the driver argued he'd been wrongly penalised. 'The AI-generated image shows no mobile phone present in my hands,' he wrote. 'Both hands are clearly visible above the steering wheel. Despite this, the automated system issued a serious infringement notice - one that carries financial and reputational consequences for an innocent driver.' The photo showed the driver appearing to give the finger as he passed the camera - but eagle-eyed viewers noticed a black rectangle on his lap, which they said looked like a phone. Under Victorian law, a mobile cannot rest on any part of a driver's body, including their lap, even if it's not being held. The driver was slapped with a $661 fine after he was captured giving 'the finger' while driving past an AI mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera The driver argued he was not using his phone but eagle-eyed social media users argued the black rectangle sitting on his lap appeared to be a phone The driver has contested the fine and claimed the technology needed an overhaul Others pointed out his hand position could have attracted a fine for 'improper control of a vehicle.' The Victorian Government said AI mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras are used to flag potential offences, which are then reviewed by trained officers before infringement notices are issued. 'Each camera trailer uses two cameras and an infrared flash, operating day and night in all weather conditions,' a spokesperson said. 'If the AI detects a possible offence, it flags the image for human review.' Between January and March this year, more than 19,000 Victorian drivers were caught using a phone or not wearing a seatbelt. During South Australia's trial of the same technology, 31,000 motorists were fined in a single month - more than 1,000 images reviewed each day. Share or comment on this article: Driver fined $661 after flipping off AI camera - but is that what really got him in trouble? Add comment
