Around 500 Canberra motorists were incorrectly fined for speeding last financial year after a glitch in computer software was found. In the previous year, only 23 fines were found invalid with just five fines challenged so far this year.
The problem rose soon after New South Wales started using a Y-series of number plates, that put the computer software into jiffy after it began matching against ACT registered vehicles, the government said.
Steve Pratt of the opposition said the Government should ensure that the problem is fixed at the earliest. "There needs to be a check and balance in the system, we don't want to take the cameras away, they're a good thing, but let's make sure we have the checks and balances in place to catch faulty infringements," he said.
"I will be asking the minister further questions about any similar problems with invalid or incorrect infringements issued from fixed red light and speed cameras across Canberra," he said.
Some officials said the figure of 500 invalid infringements could actually be more, since many of the people must have paid these fines without viewing the photographs or further questioning.
But ACT Police Minister John Hargreaves said it is unlikely that many people out there have paid the invalid fines. "I can't see how it would happen, but the problems had been fixed," he said.
“If I were to receive an infringement notice and it had my registration number on it but the vehicle details didn't match my own, for instance, colour, type of car… I would certainly get onto the traffic camera office and say this isn't my car and then it's automatically withdrawn," Hargreaves said.
