'That's crazy': Dad faces hundreds in fines due to unforeseen circumstances
- Replies 18
Navigating the roads as a driver can be a tricky business.
For parents and grandparents, there's an added layer of responsibility when it comes to ensuring the safety of their children.
What happens when a simple mistake on the road could lead to a hefty fine?
This was the cautionary tale of a dad who wanted to alert other drivers to the potential pitfalls of road safety regulations, especially when it comes to children.
Chris, a New South Wales father who shared his experiences online, got caught off guard by a letter.
Being a single father, he would often drive around with his nine-year-old daughter.
Two months after driving with his daughter to Newcastle, he received a notification for a $410 fine. Along with the fine were three demerit points.
The reason? His daughter's seat belt slipped from her shoulder.
When Chris reviewed the footage of the violation, his daughter reached over his phone. While doing so, the girl's seat belt slipped from her shoulder.
'It's come off, and there's nothing I could have done. I have told her about safety. She knows the rules. She's just accidentally lent over, and it's got me the fine,' Chris lamented.
'If I happen to notice her seatbelt slipping, I would correct her. Unfortunately, in this instance, it has accidentally fallen from her shoulder; she did not realise, and I did not catch it.'
'I cannot be constantly checking my daughter's seatbelt to determine if it is high enough on her shoulder, as this would distract me from driving,' he added.
When Chris contested the fine, a Service NSW employee firmly denied waiving it and that there was no leniency for first-time offences.
'Fining people for a first offence is simply a revenue-generating exercise, not a genuine attempt to change behaviour positively,' he disappointedly expressed.
'The NSW Government should still contact the driver and send them photos, threatening a future fine, but they should not be issuing fines right off the bat—especially fines this high.'
Several people expressed their shock about the fine online.
'That's crazy,' one wrote after seeing the penalties Chris received.
'So sorry this happened. The same thing happened to my brother and their daughter in QLD, but the fine was way higher, and they could not fight the charge,' another shared.
While some questioned why Chris's daughter occupied the front seat, the NSW law stated that children aged between four and seven 'must not sit in the front seat of a vehicle that has two or more rows of seats unless the available seats in the back row are occupied by other children aged under seven years'.
Seatbelt detection cameras were recently implemented after several trials.
These cameras also detect mobile phone use while driving.
Since its implementation, the cameras have already caught thousands of non-compliant drivers and passengers.
However, mobile phone detection cameras in NSW and SA have caused confusion and frustration among drivers, with many feeling they were unfairly fined.
Drivers are questioning the fairness of the fines, with some seeking legal advice and potentially facing costly disputes.
'The right to dispute the claim if incorrect should be allowed, and proof of the charge and photo should be mandatory. It also should be a clear image of the offence. If you did the crime, you are liable; if it's an error, you should have the right to dispute without huge cost,' SDC member @Koda wrote.
For grandparents who love to drive around with their grandchildren, this story should be a stark reminder about seatbelt safety.
We encourage you to share this story with your family and friends, especially those with young children. Have you or someone you know faced similar fines? What are your thoughts about Chris' predicament? Join the conversation in the comments below.
For parents and grandparents, there's an added layer of responsibility when it comes to ensuring the safety of their children.
What happens when a simple mistake on the road could lead to a hefty fine?
This was the cautionary tale of a dad who wanted to alert other drivers to the potential pitfalls of road safety regulations, especially when it comes to children.
Chris, a New South Wales father who shared his experiences online, got caught off guard by a letter.
Being a single father, he would often drive around with his nine-year-old daughter.
Two months after driving with his daughter to Newcastle, he received a notification for a $410 fine. Along with the fine were three demerit points.
The reason? His daughter's seat belt slipped from her shoulder.
Chris and his daughter would often go on drives together and follow safety precautions. Image Credit: Pexels/cottonbro studio
When Chris reviewed the footage of the violation, his daughter reached over his phone. While doing so, the girl's seat belt slipped from her shoulder.
'It's come off, and there's nothing I could have done. I have told her about safety. She knows the rules. She's just accidentally lent over, and it's got me the fine,' Chris lamented.
'If I happen to notice her seatbelt slipping, I would correct her. Unfortunately, in this instance, it has accidentally fallen from her shoulder; she did not realise, and I did not catch it.'
'I cannot be constantly checking my daughter's seatbelt to determine if it is high enough on her shoulder, as this would distract me from driving,' he added.
When Chris contested the fine, a Service NSW employee firmly denied waiving it and that there was no leniency for first-time offences.
'Fining people for a first offence is simply a revenue-generating exercise, not a genuine attempt to change behaviour positively,' he disappointedly expressed.
'The NSW Government should still contact the driver and send them photos, threatening a future fine, but they should not be issuing fines right off the bat—especially fines this high.'
Several people expressed their shock about the fine online.
'That's crazy,' one wrote after seeing the penalties Chris received.
'So sorry this happened. The same thing happened to my brother and their daughter in QLD, but the fine was way higher, and they could not fight the charge,' another shared.
While some questioned why Chris's daughter occupied the front seat, the NSW law stated that children aged between four and seven 'must not sit in the front seat of a vehicle that has two or more rows of seats unless the available seats in the back row are occupied by other children aged under seven years'.
Seatbelt detection cameras were recently implemented after several trials.
These cameras also detect mobile phone use while driving.
Since its implementation, the cameras have already caught thousands of non-compliant drivers and passengers.
However, mobile phone detection cameras in NSW and SA have caused confusion and frustration among drivers, with many feeling they were unfairly fined.
Drivers are questioning the fairness of the fines, with some seeking legal advice and potentially facing costly disputes.
'The right to dispute the claim if incorrect should be allowed, and proof of the charge and photo should be mandatory. It also should be a clear image of the offence. If you did the crime, you are liable; if it's an error, you should have the right to dispute without huge cost,' SDC member @Koda wrote.
For grandparents who love to drive around with their grandchildren, this story should be a stark reminder about seatbelt safety.
.png){kind=icon}
