Kazakhstani motorists are receiving fines for traffic violations they did not commit. The reason is errors by automatic cameras that incorrectly recognise vehicle number plates. Despite the possibility of contesting such fines, the process often requires time, knowledge and persistence.
According to Informburo.kz, a resident of Almaty, Aisha Kosheman, said she received a notification about speeding on a motorway, despite not even getting behind the wheel on the day the offence was recorded.
"Since I didn't go into the city that day, I filed a claim through eOtinish and the fine was cancelled; I didn't pay anything," the driver reported.
The woman managed to get the fine overturned promptly. However, as experts point out, not everyone manages to assert their rights as quickly. According to them, many Kazakhstani citizens, without looking into the details, automatically pay fines without checking the photo and video evidence.
As explained by the president of the "Common Road" Association for Road Safety, Arsen Shakuov, automatic cameras operate according to precise algorithms and are unable to take many details into account.
"The electronics are tuned for precise lines and the recognition of exact signs. When there is light refraction or something else, it cannot apply intelligent judgement. Even if the car is a different make, it doesn't care. It read the number plate, it saw a certain format – and it issued a fine based on what it perceived," he noted.
For their part, the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that there is no malicious intent behind the erroneous fines, and that all disputed points can be appealed in the established manner.
"In the event of disputed questions regarding offences recorded by technical means operating in automatic mode, citizens need to contact the territorial unit of administrative practice of the police department at their place of residence," the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.
You can check the basis of the fine and review the circumstances of the offence on the official Qamqor service, where photo and video materials of the recording are available, along with the date and time of the recording. You can also submit an electronic application requesting a review of the fine there.