The New South Wales government has imposed a staggering $34 million in fines for seatbelt violations in the past six months, largely due to the introduction of seatbelt detection cameras. Since their rollout on July 1, 2023, fines for not wearing seatbelts or improper use surged dramatically, with the number of penalties skyrocketing by 1,427 per cent from the previous year. Over 70,000 fines were issued in the latter half of 2024, compared to only 4,600 in the same period of 2023.
While these measures aim to enhance road safety, some drivers contest the accuracy of the fines. For instance, Samantha, a north-west Sydney resident, received a fine while a passenger, claiming the evidence incorrectly suggested she was not wearing her seatbelt properly. Despite submitting evidence to support her case, her dispute was rejected.
Similarly, Melbourne driver Seth and Sydney’s Nicole both received fines under dubious circumstances related to the seated passenger. Each insists they complied with seatbelt regulations, illustrating the challenges faced in contesting these fines. Avinash Singh, a legal expert, noted that drivers may seek to challenge fines in court, particularly when photographs are ambiguous. A spokesperson for Transport NSW emphasised that fines are crucial for saving lives, as wearing seatbelts significantly decreases the likelihood of injury in accidents.