Victoria Police fine group of friends for playing cricket
A group of Victorians have probably played their last game of backyard cricket for a while after police appeared to fine them for breaking the state’s social distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic.
Video posted online shows police writing up a group of five men after playing “a game of backyard cricket”.
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The video claims each member was fined $1,652 for breaking social distancing rules.
Police may have pinpointed the game because it appeared to be played on the edge of a park or a reserve, which would break Victoria’s social distancing rules.
Learner driver’s fine rescinded
Victoria has handed out more fines for rule breakers than any other state.
A recent example was Victoria police fining a 17-year-old L-Plater the same amount - $1,652 - for learning to drive with her mum in the rain.
The driver was later let off the hook after a review, but police say learner drivers should not be taking lessons under current COVID-19 restrictions, leaving open the possibility others may be fined in future.
Hunter Reynolds, 17, was issued a fine for learning to drive in wet conditions with her mother as the passenger on the weekend.
For those asking - yes - we’ve seen a copy of the actual infringement notice handed yesterday to a 17yo L Plater having a training drive with mum in the rain yesterday. pic.twitter.com/VjZTkNJVni
— Heidi Murphy (@heidimur) April 6, 2020
The duo had travelled about 30km from their Hampton home to Frankston before a police officer pulled them over.
After publicly sharing their story, the police hierarchy reviewed the fine.
Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton told 3AW on Tuesday that blatant rule-breakers should be fined but there was community confusion.
“We will withdraw it because clearly that wasn't widely understood by the public,” he said.
“Undertaking a driving lesson by itself, to go out and simply drive off somewhere to undertake a driving lesson with your parent - you are not able to do it.”
with AAP
