Reports have revealed that more than 11,400 fines have been issued to drivers and passengers in New South Wales who were caught by recently implemented seatbelt detection cameras. The government and NSW Roads Minister John Graham were surprised by the significant number of violations captured in just a short period after the cameras began operating on July 1. The footage from these cameras showed various instances of improper seatbelt usage, including children without restraints, babies unrestrained, and adults either not wearing a seatbelt or wearing it incorrectly.
John Graham highlighted the concerning behavior of not wearing seatbelts correctly and its direct link to the high and rising road toll. He stressed the importance of wearing seatbelts by emphasizing that the likelihood of death in a crash doubles if a person is not properly restrained. The minister expressed the need for a cultural shift similar to the campaign against mobile phone use while driving, aiming to educate and encourage drivers to comply with seatbelt laws to ensure road safety.
Despite the high number of fines issued, Graham acknowledged that the majority of motorists do obey seatbelt laws, indicating that only a small percentage of individuals engage in non-compliance. The government's primary goal is to promote awareness and encourage all drivers and passengers to buckle up correctly to avoid fines and, more importantly, to prevent road accidents and fatalities. As part of efforts to enforce seatbelt regulations, drivers face fines of up to $410 and three demerit points on their license if caught not wearing or incorrectly wearing their seatbelt, with over 8.3 million vehicle checks conducted as of now.