Seatbelt enforcement cameras in NSW have nabbed over 11,400 people in their first three weeks of going live.
According to the NSW Government, this early data revealed many more people than expected were flouting the seatbelt law.
Of those caught, about three quarters of the fines were for the incorrect use of a seatbelt, which still attracts the full $410 fine and three demerit points.
The rate of non-compliance is about two-and-a-half times more than was expected before the mobile phone detection camera network began enforcing seatbelt offences on July 1.
In three weeks, more seatbelt offences were detected by the cameras than the total number of seatbelt fines issued by NSW Police in 2023.
Minister for Roads John Graham said, “I’m surprised the numbers are so high. We knew there was a problem with seatbelt compliance among a small section of motorists and passengers, but the reality is it is worse than expected and we need this to serve as a wake up call.
“I want to send the strongest message possible today that if you don’t do it to save yourself a $410 fine and three demerit points, do it for the safety of your loved ones by buckling up every time, and make sure everyone in the car does too.”
In the five years up to the end of 2023, 149 people who died on NSW roads were not wearing a seatbelt – about 15 per cent of all vehicle occupant deaths.
So far, more than 8.3 million vehicles have been checked, with about one in every 700 resulting in a fine.
Pictures taken by the camera network have revealed various incidents, including babies being held and fed in the front seat completely unrestrained, multiple children unrestrained sharing the front seat with adults and a variety of ways in which a seatbelt can be worn incorrectly.
The NSW Government is reminding motorists the lap portion of a seatbelt should lie low and firmly over your hips and the sash should be across your chest and mid shoulder.
“Five decades since it became law, there are still too many people putting their lives and the lives of their loved ones at risk because they won’t wear a seatbelt,” said Minister for Regional Roads Jenny Aitchison.
“I also urge everyone to wear their seatbelts properly because we know from tests conducted by the Centre for Road Safety that the impact of wearing a seatbelt under your arm in a crash at 60km/h can cause injuries to the liver, spleen or abdomen which could prove fatal.”
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