I was slapped with £200 fine for using my phone while driving – but I’m innocent and officials missed key detail
A MUM was stunned to get a £200 fine for using a mobile at the wheel - as the photo showed her holding a child's toy.
She was snapped by an automated camera that can detect when drivers are illegally using phones.
The bright blue gadget features characters from the hit Australian cartoon series about a family of dogs.
However in the monochrome traffic camera pic, it resembles a large old-style handset like an early BlackBerry.
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The mum, who was not named, was snapped in Tempe, a suburb of Sydney, on February 10.
Days later a notice arrived with a fine of $362 plus five penalty points.
In New South Wales it is illegal to use a mobile for video calling, texting, emailing, social media, web browsing and photography unless the car is parked.
Officials said this case was unusual and they would review the penalty.
A spokeswoman told 7News: “Transport for NSW will work with Revenue NSW to review the penalty notice in question.”
Last month we told of another driver's fury after a traffic camera took an upskirt picture of his wife.
Richard Arnold got a £500 fine in Queensland's Gold Coast.
A camera caught his 5ft wife Anh Nyugen slipping an arm out of her seat belt to adjust the sun visor.
But the pictures also show a clear view of her underwear beneath her skirt.
Richard said: "You don't expect to be sent pictures of your wife's underwear, I have to say.
"It's actually illegal I think to photograph up a skirt.
"Covert photographic surveillance should not be used in such an insensitive and disrespectful manner."
Queensland transport officials said traffic camera pictures were encrypted and only used for "enforcement purposes".