Rachel Lang
A mobile speed camera has nearly fallen prey to an eager tow truck driver after they decided to set up a speed trap in a temporary clearway in the Australian town of Wollongong, New South Wales.
The nondescript car containing the speed camera was set up alongside Cabbage Tree Lane in Fairy Meadow, which just so happened to be inside a lane that was being kept clear for the World Road Cycling Championships.
In footage shared by 9News, a tow truck driver was spotted pulling up in front of the white Toyota SUV.
The tow truck driver was seen hopping out and sizing up the car containing the mobile speed camera, gearing up to take it away for blocking the temporary clearway.
The car was moved voluntarily before it was able to be towed after the driver realised they had parked the mobile speed camera in the clearway.
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Transport for NSW deputy secretary Tara McCarthy told 9News the incident was now under investigation.
"The driver moved the vehicle once they became aware the temporary clearway was in place as part of the World Road Cycling Championships," McCarthy said.
"As a result, the enforcement session has been deemed invalid and fines will not be issued."
Great news for anyone who got caught out by the speed trap, then.
She added: "Transport for NSW is working with the vendor to investigate the incident."
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Social media users have lashed out over the incident, with many calling for the tow charge to stand as the government should not be 'above the law'.
One user on Facebook said: "Government revenue raising as usual. It’s a disgrace."
A second said: "The operator can’t even read so how can they enforce the law?"
While a third added: "Did the driver get fine for illegal parking?"
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Another also called for the driver to be fined: "The driver of the vehicle should be slapped with a fine for parking in a clearway, like anyone else would be. Regardless of the vehicle his, he decided to park the vehicle there he can accept the fine."
Another added: "You're not above the law."
Some went as far as calling for someone to 'buy the towie a carton' of beer for thwarting the speed traps, with another commenting that he 'should have towed it away and dumped it in the river'.
Yikes. Hell hath no fury like a Facebook comments section, after all.