Are you at risk of a $400 fine? Aussie driver's shocking story sparks outrage at new police crackdown
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It’s a scenario that could happen to any of us: you’re driving along, minding your own business, when suddenly you’re hit with a hefty fine for something as simple as not wearing your seatbelt correctly.
That’s exactly what happened to one Melbourne driver, and her story has reignited a fiery debate about road safety cameras, government revenue, and whether the punishment always fits the crime.
The incident unfolded in full view of TV cameras, capturing the moment a frustrated driver pulled over and vented her anger at police.
Her crime? Wearing her seatbelt incorrectly—she claimed it was to accommodate a shoulder injury.
The penalty? A whopping $400 fine and three demerit points. Ouch!
‘It’s just ridiculous,’ she told 7News, pointing at the mobile and seatbelt detection camera that caught her out. ‘Revenue for the government, that’s what it is. Get it off the street!’
If you’re a Victorian driver, you’ll know the rules are strict: $407 for not wearing your seatbelt properly, and the cameras are always watching.
But is it fair?
Authorities were quick to defend the system. Police Minister Anthony Carbines and the Traffic Accident Commission’s Sam Cockfield both insisted that these cameras are about saving lives, not just raising revenue.
Source: 7NEWS Australia / Youtube.
‘These cameras save lives, they change driver behaviour,’ Carbines said. Cockfield went even further: ‘There was absolutely no excuse. There was no reason for anybody not to wear their seatbelt correctly… People after 55 years are choosing sometimes not to wear their seatbelt; it is almost incomprehensible.’
And the numbers seem to back them up.
In Victoria, there’s been a 36% drop in seatbelt offences between January and March this year compared to the same period last year—down from nearly 30,000 fines to just over 19,000. That’s a lot of people getting the message, but it’s still a staggering number of infringements.
While Victoria is seeing a drop in fines, other states are heading in the opposite direction.
Queensland’s cameras have raked in over $500 million from 461,000 infringements since late 2021. Tasmania’s cameras issued $9.5 million in fines in just one year. It’s clear that, across the country, authorities are cracking down harder than ever.
Why? Because Australia’s road toll is at a 15-year high.
In the 12 months to May 31, 1,337 people lost their lives on our roads—a 4.8% increase from the previous year. With numbers like these, it’s no wonder governments are pulling out all the stops to try and make our roads safer.
Here’s where things get tricky. Many of us remember a time when police would use their discretion—maybe a warning for a first offence, or a bit of understanding if you had a genuine reason for not wearing your seatbelt the ‘right’ way.
But with automated cameras, there’s no room for explanation or context. If you’re caught, you’re fined. End of story.
For those with medical conditions or injuries, this can feel especially unfair. Should there be a process for appealing fines in these cases? Should the rules be more flexible for people with genuine needs? Or is the risk simply too great to allow any exceptions?
Read more: How Aussie driver avoided $1,200 fine with surprising seatbelt claim
Have you or someone you know been caught out by these new cameras? Do you think the fines are fair, or do you agree with the Melbourne driver that it’s all about revenue? Have you ever had to wear your seatbelt differently due to injury or medical reasons?
Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below—let’s get the conversation started! And remember, stay safe out there, and always buckle up (the right way!).
That’s exactly what happened to one Melbourne driver, and her story has reignited a fiery debate about road safety cameras, government revenue, and whether the punishment always fits the crime.
The incident unfolded in full view of TV cameras, capturing the moment a frustrated driver pulled over and vented her anger at police.
Her crime? Wearing her seatbelt incorrectly—she claimed it was to accommodate a shoulder injury.
Victorian driver criticised police after receiving a $400 fine for incorrectly wearing her seatbelt, claiming her shoulder injury was not considered and labelling the penalty as government revenue-raising. Image source: 7NEWS Australia / Youtube.
The penalty? A whopping $400 fine and three demerit points. Ouch!
‘It’s just ridiculous,’ she told 7News, pointing at the mobile and seatbelt detection camera that caught her out. ‘Revenue for the government, that’s what it is. Get it off the street!’
If you’re a Victorian driver, you’ll know the rules are strict: $407 for not wearing your seatbelt properly, and the cameras are always watching.
But is it fair?
Authorities were quick to defend the system. Police Minister Anthony Carbines and the Traffic Accident Commission’s Sam Cockfield both insisted that these cameras are about saving lives, not just raising revenue.
Source: 7NEWS Australia / Youtube.
‘These cameras save lives, they change driver behaviour,’ Carbines said. Cockfield went even further: ‘There was absolutely no excuse. There was no reason for anybody not to wear their seatbelt correctly… People after 55 years are choosing sometimes not to wear their seatbelt; it is almost incomprehensible.’
And the numbers seem to back them up.
In Victoria, there’s been a 36% drop in seatbelt offences between January and March this year compared to the same period last year—down from nearly 30,000 fines to just over 19,000. That’s a lot of people getting the message, but it’s still a staggering number of infringements.
While Victoria is seeing a drop in fines, other states are heading in the opposite direction.
Queensland’s cameras have raked in over $500 million from 461,000 infringements since late 2021. Tasmania’s cameras issued $9.5 million in fines in just one year. It’s clear that, across the country, authorities are cracking down harder than ever.
Why? Because Australia’s road toll is at a 15-year high.
In the 12 months to May 31, 1,337 people lost their lives on our roads—a 4.8% increase from the previous year. With numbers like these, it’s no wonder governments are pulling out all the stops to try and make our roads safer.
Here’s where things get tricky. Many of us remember a time when police would use their discretion—maybe a warning for a first offence, or a bit of understanding if you had a genuine reason for not wearing your seatbelt the ‘right’ way.
But with automated cameras, there’s no room for explanation or context. If you’re caught, you’re fined. End of story.
For those with medical conditions or injuries, this can feel especially unfair. Should there be a process for appealing fines in these cases? Should the rules be more flexible for people with genuine needs? Or is the risk simply too great to allow any exceptions?
Read more: How Aussie driver avoided $1,200 fine with surprising seatbelt claim
Have you or someone you know been caught out by these new cameras? Do you think the fines are fair, or do you agree with the Melbourne driver that it’s all about revenue? Have you ever had to wear your seatbelt differently due to injury or medical reasons?
Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below—let’s get the conversation started! And remember, stay safe out there, and always buckle up (the right way!).
