US TikToker cops $295 fine for ‘reckless’ driving act in Sydney tunnel

A US influencer has horrified the internet after admitting to a “reckless” driving act in a Sydney tunnel that left her with a $295 fine and three demerit points.

A US influencer has admitted copping a $295 fine and three demerit points for a ‘reckless’ road act, Picture: TikTok

A US influencer who copped a $295 fine and three demerit points for “recklessly” driving 21km over the speed limit in a Sydney tunnel, has taken to TikTok with a bizarre explainer that horrified motorists everywhere.

Los Angeles woman Sophia, who posts under @sophiainsydney, documents her life in the Harbour City to her 107.4k followers on TikTok and 23.8k on Instagram.

She started her lengthy video by saying, “I got a speeding fine because I was going 100km in the Cross City Tunnel, when it was 80km and apparently there are cameras in the tunnel.”

The incident occurred last Thursday when Sophia was making her way to a Fashion Week event driving a friend’s car at high speed – eventually hitting 101km/h.

But it was her admission that she didn’t check her speedometer while driving as she was too busy focusing on the road because she “doesn’t want to crash into walls” that was the most worrying disclosure.

Sophia received a $295 fine for speeding 21km/h over the speed limit. Picture: TikTok/@sophiainsydney

She was caught on camera speeding in Sydney’s Cross City Tunnel. Picture: TikTok/@sophiainsydney

Sophia said that “as an American”, she got her NSW driver’s licence without taking a test and “without, like, learning the Australian driving laws”, so she didn’t realise there were speed cameras in tunnels.

She also seemed unaware of the speed limit in Sydney’s Cross City Tunnel despite the fact there are numerous signs clearly indicating it is 80km/h.

“But it’s, like, I’m so focused on driving I’m just, I’m freaking, you know, stressed out, as I’m, like, trying to navigate where I’m going, especially driving for the first time in a different country on the other side of the road,” Sophia explained.

She said that in America, there might be red light cameras but speeding offences were generally caught by highway patrol officers on the road so she was “really surprised that this happened”.

“I thought I was winning that day on Thursday because I was going to Fashion Week events and I was rushing to get there, I guess, and I thought I was saving money by driving and not Ubering,” Sophia continued.

She said she didn’t see the multiple signs indicating it was an 80km/h zone. Picture: TikTok/@sophiainsydney

She admitted she didn’t check her speedometer because she didn’t want to ‘crash into walls’. Picture: TikTok/@sophiainsydney

“But no, it’s actually more when you get a fine.

“I was borrowing a car from a friend and he was like, ‘Sophia, I cannot lose three points over this so I have to transfer this into your name.’

“I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s fine, like I’ll pay for it and I’ll get the points deducted.’”

Then she wondered whether she should fight the fine based off the fact it was her “first time driving in the tunnel” and she was “still getting the hang of it”.

At this point, she mentioned her friend ‘Bryce’, whose car she was driving, who told her: “You know this is unheard of. No one goes 101km in an 80km area, like – pedal to the metal.”

Sophia went on: “The thing is, I’m better at driving when there are other cars around me because it shows what speed I should be going.

“But, like, when there are not cars around me, it’s kinda hard for me to register what side of the street I should even be on and I’m not even looking at the speedometer cause I’m like ‘focus on the road’ because I don’t want to crash into walls.

“You know what I mean?” she concluded.

The LA woman documents her life in the Harbour City. Picture: Instagram/sophiainsydney

She posts glamorous photos of herself out and about. Picture: Instagram/sophiainsydney

Despite her impassioned plea, Sophia did not get much sympathy on TikTok where most commenters slammed her behaviour.

“21km over is wild but that’s not excusable,” a commenter said.

Another added: “So you’re nervously driving recklessly so it’s fine, right. Doesn’t matter if you hit someone because you had okay intentions....”

Another frustrated motorist added, “Doesn’t matter if it’s your first time, just (because) you’re ignorant of the laws doesn’t mean you can’t be punished for not following them.”

A fourth added, “Was so focused on driving ... that she was doing 21km over the speed limit.”

A Queenslander also got into the debate to point out, “In QLD, that would be a $646 fine for 21km over the limit. NSW is cheap.”