{"id":599643,"date":"2026-04-11T08:04:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T08:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/599643\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T08:04:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T08:04:15","slug":"aussie-driver-outraged-after-split-second-decision-lands-her-a-509-fine-no-leniency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/599643\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussie driver outraged after split-second decision lands her a $509 fine: ‘No leniency’"},"content":{"rendered":"

A young woman has shared how a split-second decision on the road<\/a> can cost you dearly.<\/p>\n

Melburnian Alex Ashcroft was outraged over copping a $509 fine for entering an intersection one second after the traffic light turned red<\/a>.<\/p>\n

She showed a glimpse of the infringement notice handed out by Victorian Police after the incident in January and questioned whether it was fair, given it was so soon after the light changed.<\/p>\n

“That is the most expensive one second of my life \u2014 more than half of my wage in one second,” Alex said.<\/p>\n

“Failed to obey traffic lights<\/a>,” the offence reads. Printed in red, the notice informed her that one second had elapsed before she entered the intersection after the light turned red.<\/p>\n

Alex asked for a “grace period”, claiming she would not have had time to stop safely, given the speed limit was 70km\/h.<\/p>\n

“I probably would have caused an accident, and someone could have rear-ended me,” she said.<\/p>\n

“I do not understand this at all. It does not make sense.”<\/p>\n

But Lawyer Hayder Shkara, from Melbourne Family Lawyers, told Yahoo News this week that running a red is “completely binary”, so there’s no such thing as a “grace period”.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story about a recent fine you’ve received? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Victoria<\/p>\n

The $509 fine was for running a red light in Melbourne. Source: TikTok\/alex.ashcroft<\/p>\n

It’s understood that an infringement notice is generally issued when a vehicle enters the intersection 0.5 seconds or more after the traffic light or arrow has turned red.<\/a><\/p>\n

“There\u2019s no leniency just because it was only 1 second after it went red,” he said.<\/p>\n

“This is the case not only in Victoria, but in all states in Australia. Once the light is red, the offence is made out the instant you cross the line.”<\/p>\n

How much is a fine for running a red light?<\/p>\n

The fine relates to rule 59 of the Road Safety Rules 2017<\/a>, which states, “drivers must not enter an intersection or marked foot crossing when traffic lights show a red light”.<\/p>\n

While road rule 60 states that drivers cannot proceed in the direction of a red arrow.<\/p>\n

Across the country, fine amounts vary.<\/p>\n

In NSW, running a red light generally incurs a fine of $562 and three demerit points. This penalty increases to $704 and four demerit points if the offence occurs within a school zone.<\/p>\n

And in Queensland, the same offence incurs a fine of $645 and three demerit points.<\/p>\n

In Western Australia, it’s $300 and three demerit points, while in South Australia, running a red typically results in a fine of approximately $515 to $540.<\/p>\n

Typically, a traffic light remains yellow (amber) for three to five seconds before turning red.<\/p>\n

On an amber light, drivers are required to stop if it is safe to do so.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n