Teen tradie hailed as hero for hunting down hidden speed cameras and warning drivers in his spare time

A teen tradie has been hailed as hero for hunting down hidden speed cameras and warning drivers of what’s ahead in his spare time.

Whether it’s rain, hail or shine, if you were to take a drive around NSW’s Central Coast you would likely speed past a teenager who’s been dubbed a national hero by some for his roadside antics.

Instead of playing Xbox to fill in his spare time Beau Jackson, 17, has taken to standing by the side of roads north of Sydney warning drivers about approaching mobile speed cameras hidden out of sight.

The tradie can be seen before and after work most days across the region on the lookout for mobile speed camera sites catching unsuspecting drivers — a move from police that he strongly believes is “unfair”.

Zooming around on his slick Yamaha motorbike, he hunts down the hidden cameras before taking to the roadside with a handwritten sign to warn drivers of what’s ahead.

Passing motorists often express their gratitude with a cheeky honk and yelling out messages of support. Some even jump out to shake his hand or give him snacks.

“I want to look out for people as it’s a pretty hard time right now,” Beau told A Current Affair.

Beau Jackson has taken to standing by the side of roads north of Sydney warning drivers about hidden mobile speed cameras. Picture: A Current Affair

“I don’t want people getting a fine. I’ve been saving them heaps in the month I’ve been doing it.

“People can cop a $170 fine for just going four kilometres over the limit and right now people are struggling so I just want to help them.”

Beau told the show he checked with the police to ensure he’s not breaking the law.

“They think I’m doing the community a service as I’m actually making people slow down,” he said.

Beau, who insisted he’s never been fined, said he believes motorists who are “dramatically” over the speed limit should be cop a fine.

“I’m doing it for those who are done four or six kilometres over because they also park at the bottom of a hill,” he told ACA.

“If it was in a school zone or on a stretch of road where people are speeding I wouldn’t warn anyone.

“But they are often set up to ping people going a few kilometres over the speed limit at the bottom of a hill and that’s unfair.”

Drivers often honk as the zoom past. Picture: A Current Affair

He also believes it’s unfair to hide the cameras.

“If they want to save lives, then have signs here warning people, along with signs on the front and back of the car.”

His dad Dan Jackson admitted he was reluctant to support his son when he first raised the idea.

“My first reaction was ‘do you really want to that?’ and he was like ‘Yeah!’ the proud father told the program.

“A lot of kids his age are out doing things mainly for themselves and here is Beau doing something for the community … and that’s nice.’

“As long as he’s safe and not doing anything illegal.”

Some motorists the show spoke to declared Beau as a national hero.

“He’s great at it, saving all our licenses,” one man said.

Others have pulled over to offer Beau drinks and chocolate. A local tyre business showed their appreciation by giving him new tyres for his motorbike.

Reacting to the story on social media, viewers had mixed views on Beau’s efforts.

Motorists drive past a fixed speed camera. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“Good on him to help others out in trying times, traffic fines are a profit milking cow and nothing to do with safety whatsoever,” one viewer commented.

But not everyone was a fan of his work.

“I think his efforts are misguided. What’s wrong with motorists following the rules and obeying the speed limits? Take responsibility for your own actions and don’t rely on someone else ….especially a 17-year-old to do what you should be doing yourself,” one wrote.