Tel Aviv Court Acquits Driver Over Flawed Camera Evidence in Bus Lane Case

A Tel Aviv court has acquitted a driver caught driving in a public transport lane more than two years ago, ruling that the municipality failed to meet strict procedural requirements for submitting camera evidence. The incident dates back to August 9, 2024, when an enforcement camera on Jaffa Road recorded Dori Tszeler driving in the bus lane. Tszeler was issued a 500-shekel fine but chose to contest the ticket in court rather than pay.

During the evidentiary hearing in October, the municipality presented the fine notice, a photograph, and two video clips of the alleged violation. Tszeler chose not to testify or present a defense. However, during closing arguments, he raised a decisive legal objection based on the 1997 Traffic Regulations governing the submission of camera footage in court. According to the regulations, camera evidence is admissible only if accompanied by a public employee certificate, an affidavit, or an expert opinion certifying that the camera complies with legal standards. None of these documents were attached to the municipality's submission.

Judge Moshe Sarugovitch upheld the defense's objection, stating that unlike municipal parking enforcement governed by local bylaws, public transport lane enforcement falls under the national Traffic Ordinance. Consequently, strict statutory rules apply. The judge rejected the municipality's arguments regarding administrative regularity and the inspector's testimony, emphasizing that missing statutory admissibility requirements cannot be dismissed as a minor flaw. Although Tszeler strategically withheld his objection until the closing arguments, the court ruled that silence does not substitute for admissible evidence and acquitted the driver of the bus lane violation.