In the Australian state of New South Wales, agents are under fire for fining motorists who queued for hours in front of a test street. After a call from the government, waiting times of more than seven hours arose, which drivers partly spent using their phones at the wheel.
The enormous interest in corona tests arose after Australian authorities ordered residents to visit the test street with very mild complaints. With this, the regional government hopes to get a grip on the increase in the number of contamination clusters.
Thousands of people responded to the call. Many of them criticized social media when they learned that the Sydney police force had instructed officers to actively enforce traffic rules on the test streets.
The use of a mobile phone at the wheel leads to a fine of 349 Australian dollars (about 215 euros) and five penalty points on the driver’s license in the state. Novice drivers must surrender their driving license for four penalty points.
According to Australian media, the police’s actions caused annoyance among motorists. The officers photographed number plates, warned drivers if they saw a telephone in their hand and spoke to drivers if they detected other electronic devices. “It is cruel to attack people who are trying to do the right thing,” a motorist told the news site news.com.au.
‘Common Sense Has Triumphed’
In the end, nine fines would have been issued, seven of which were later withdrawn. “Common sense has prevailed,” regional Prime Minister Gladys Berejiklian said of the decision.
38,000 residents in New South Wales were tested for the corona virus on Monday. Around popular beaches like Bondi Beach we urgently advise you to stay at home. Dozens of contamination clusters have been reported recently in that region.
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