Speed camera operator charged over alleged near head on

A vehicle used to enforce road safety has been impounded after its operator allegedly overtook a road train and forced approaching motorists onto the shoulder of Great Eastern Highway.

The 67 year old Toodyay man, identified by ABC News as a Road Safety Commission employee, has been charged with reckless driving over the alleged incident between Tammin and Cunderdin.

Police allege the manoeuvre left an oncoming driver having to brake and leave the traffic lane to avoid a head on collision.

The overtake that triggered an investigation

The man was working at about midday on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, driving a white Isuzu D Max fitted with mobile speed camera equipment.

According to police, he attempted to pass a road train in a manner they described as dangerous and unsafe.

Investigators subsequently gathered video footage and interviewed drivers involved in the incident. The inquiry resulted in a reckless driving charge and the impoundment of the camera vehicle.

Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the case showed that people could face prosecution regardless of who they were. He also pointed to dashboard camera footage as an important tool for investigating alleged reckless driving.

Camera car released, driver's own vehicle taken instead

The impoundment initially took a specially equipped Road Safety Commission vehicle out of service.

On 12 October 2026, an application for its release was approved because it contained specialised road safety equipment, PerthNow reported. ABC reported that the commission had requested the vehicle's return.

The accused's personal vehicle was impounded in its place.

The swap returned the government vehicle without removing the impoundment consequence altogether. It was a separate administrative decision from the criminal charge, which remains before the court.

WA Police publishes procedures allowing applications for early release and vehicle substitution. The individual approval document in this case has not been made available in the reporting reviewed.

Court appearance in December

The man is scheduled to appear at Northam Magistrates Court on 14 December 2026, more than two months after the alleged incident.

No plea has been publicly reported in the material reviewed. The reckless driving allegation remains to be determined by the court.