Seatbelt fines issued to 132,000 motorists in NSW, driven by AI camera blitz
There has been a staggering 2357 per cent jump in seatbelt fines issued in NSW during the past year, with AI-powered detection cameras leading the crackdown.
A new NRMA report released on Tuesday shows more than 132,000 motorists copped an individual fine of about $400 and three demerit points.
The number of fines issued in NSW for improper seatbelt use has surged more than 2000 per cent. Supplied
More than 88 per cent of offences involved seatbelts being improperly worn and 12 per cent involving no seatbelt at all, with pregnant women figuring largely in the latter category.
The ballooning number of motorists caught out is largely due to new AI cameras, which identified 132,000 more violations compared to the previous year.
A whole raft of offences, including seatbelts being worn incorrectly, can be detected by the emerging technology.
The Buckle Up Right report, released by the motoring organisation, also included a survey of motorists that found 40 per cent did not realise they could be fined if a passenger wasn’t correctly wearing a seatbelt.
The NRMA says a state-wide public education campaign about seatbelt rules is now needed, with pregnant women and older motorists priority targets.
It is also calling for NSW for drivers to be allowed to nominate adult passengers for camera detected seatbelt offences, similar to proposed changes before the Queensland Parliament.
“The NRMA strongly supports the use of camera detection technology to enforce seatbelt laws,” spokesperson Peter Khoury said.
“However, when you have an almost 24-fold increase in fines and almost 90 per cent of those fines are for incorrect seatbelt use rather than no use at all, something is not right.
Many drivers in NSW are unaware they can cop a seatbelt infringement fine if their passenger is not buckled up. 9News
“Drivers nominating adult passengers who break the law ensures the penalty lands with the person committing the crime because nobody should lose their licence for an offence committed by someone else.
“After all, drivers should be focused on the road ahead of them.
“What is also needed is far more education around how to wear a seatbelt properly.”
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