Aussie drivers warned they could be fined for using Waze to warn other drivers about police or speed cameras
Australian motorists using Waze to report police or speed camera locations are unlikely to break the law simply by sharing that information, according to criminal lawyer Shantel Norus. She says the main legal risk is using a phone while driving, which can lead to fines and demerit points, while obstruction offences could apply in exceptional circumstances.
Rules and penalties vary across the country. Victoria’s legal guidance specifically says warning drivers about speed cameras may amount to hindering police, an offence carrying up to A$5,227.50 in fines or six months’ imprisonment. Maximum penalties elsewhere range from about A$2,500 in South Australia to about A$40,000 in the Northern Territory; Queensland police have also warned drivers against using alerts to evade enforcement.
In short
- Sharing police locations on Waze is generally not an offence by itself.
- Using a phone while driving can bring fines and demerit points.
- Victoria explicitly warns that camera alerts may hinder police.
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The case for
Drivers can argue that sharing police or camera locations is a form of lawful information exchange that helps people make informed choices, and that enforcement should focus on dangerous driving rather than warnings about publicly visible activity. Where an alert is posted safely, without interfering with officers or using a phone behind the wheel, penalising it may be seen as an excessive restriction on communication.
The case against
Authorities can argue that alerts intended to help drivers evade enforcement may undermine speed limits and other road-safety measures, reducing the deterrent effect of policing. They may also contend that targeted warnings can hinder police work in exceptional cases, while phone use to post or read alerts creates a separate and immediate driving risk.
Explained simply
Waze is a navigation app that lets drivers share live information, including reports of police and speed cameras. These reports can help other motorists know what to expect on the road, but they may also affect police efforts to enforce traffic laws.
Australia’s road rules are set by states and territories, so the laws and penalties differ across the country. Criminal lawyer Shantel Norus says sharing a location report is not usually an offence by itself, though deliberately hindering police could be in exceptional cases.
A separate issue is using a phone while driving, which can attract fines and demerit points. Victoria’s guidance says warning other drivers about speed cameras may amount to hindering police; other jurisdictions have issued warnings or set different penalties.