Automated tech uncovers widespread compliance issue on roads

When Paula Weeks and her daughters returned from a Tyler, the Creator concert in Sydney, the last thing they expected was a hefty fine in the mail.

But thanks to her daughter 'Millsy' wearing her seatbelt incorrectly—with her arm on the wrong side of the strap—the family was slugged with a $428 penalty and three demerit points.

This story is particularly significant because Paula's experience represents one of thousands caught by NSW's revolutionary new enforcement technology, which has been operating since July 2024.

How the new seatbelt cameras work

Camera based enforcement of seatbelt offences, including fines and penalties, started on 1 July 2024. Automated seatbelt enforcement uses the existing mobile phone detection cameras to capture clear images of passing vehicles in all traffic and weather conditions.

Artificial intelligence software automatically reviews images and detects potential offences. Images that are likely to show that a seatbelt is not worn or is worn incorrectly, are then verified by trained personnel.

In the first three weeks of operation, the new seatbelt detection cameras have issued more than 11,400 fines, revealing a significant compliance issue.

About 75 per cent of these fines were for improper use of seatbelts, with cameras capturing instances of unrestrained babies, children sharing seats with adults, and adults either not wearing seatbelts or wearing them incorrectly.

The number of offences detected in this short period has already surpassed the total seatbelt penalties issued by NSW Police in 2023, with the government estimating that over 100,000 fines could be issued by July 2025.

The real cost of seatbelt mistakes

While Paula's story mentions a $428 fine, penalties start from $387 and three demerit points and double demerits apply. The exact amount can vary depending on when the offence occurred and any administrative fees, but the base penalty remains substantial enough to catch attention.

Drivers who are caught not wearing an adequately positioned and adjusted seatbelt face a fine of $410 and 3 demerit points. Two unrestrained passengers carry a fine of $818 and 6 demerit points, while three unrestrained passengers attract a fine of $1,318 and 6 demerit points.

Having four or more unrestrained passengers would result in a $1728 fine and 6 demerit points.

Why country drivers need to be extra cautious

In the last five years, about 85 per cent of the deaths and 76 per cent of the serious injuries that occurred in crashes where someone wasn't wearing a seatbelt happened in country NSW.

Driving in the country brings with it different challenges to city driving—longer distances are often covered on higher speed roads and we know that although country residents make up about a third of the NSW population they sadly make up around two thirds of deaths on NSW roads.

This is particularly relevant for seniors who may be travelling to visit family or taking holiday trips to regional areas. The cameras now operate on both metropolitan and country roads.

Common seatbelt mistakes that trigger fines

The cameras are particularly good at spotting these violations:

• Seatbelt strap positioned under the arm instead of over the shoulder
  
• Sharing seatbelts between passengers
  
• Children sitting on adult's laps instead of using proper restraints
  
• Loose or improperly adjusted straps
  
• Seatbelts twisted or not lying flat

Photos released from testing of the cameras show a small but persistent percentage of drivers—and some passengers—continue to flout the law and wear their seatbelt incorrectly, including with the sash below the arm.

What if you receive a fine?

If you receive a fine, but don't believe you have committed an offence you can ask Revenue NSW for a review. If you were not driving the vehicle at the time of the offence you can nominate the person responsible for the offence.

If you receive a penalty notice from Revenue NSW for a camera detected seatbelt offence and you (or your passenger, in the case of a passenger offence) had a valid medical exemption from wearing a seatbelt at the time, you can request a review of the fine with Revenue NSW.

If the review finds that the medical exemption is valid, the fine will be cancelled and the record of the offence will be removed from your licence.

Medical exemptions and special circumstances

Some people may be exempt from wearing seatbelts due to medical conditions. A valid seatbelt exemption medical certificate must: state that a medical practitioner (doctor) believes the person should not wear a seatbelt because of a medical condition or disability the person has; be signed by a doctor who is licenced or registered as a medical practitioner under a law of a State or Territory.

The technology behind the enforcement

Images rejected by the artificial intelligence are permanently and irretrievably deleted, typically within an hour of detection. Both fixed and transportable versions of the cameras use the same camera technology.

Unlike previous enforcement rollouts, there will be no grace period and the cameras will start issuing fines immediately. This was a deliberate decision by the NSW Parliament, recognising that seatbelt laws have been in place for over 50 years.

A wake-up call for families

Paula Weeks' experience serves as a reminder that even experienced drivers can be caught out by something as simple as improper seatbelt positioning. As she reflected: 'A simple 'Millsy get your arm on the other side of the seatbelt bro' would have saved us $428 (and her life if we were in an accident).'

The community response to Paula's post revealed that many people weren't aware that incorrect seatbelt positioning could result in such hefty fines. One commenter noted: 'Thanks for the info! We go to concerts often in Sydney and I didn't even know about it!'

Protecting your family and your wallet

For many seniors, understanding these new enforcement measures is crucial, especially when travelling with grandchildren or elderly passengers who might struggle with seatbelt positioning. The cameras don't discriminate based on age—they simply detect improper use and issue fines accordingly.

The driver will receive a fine and demerit points if they or their passengers are not wearing a seatbelt correctly. This means the responsibility lies with whoever's behind the wheel, regardless of the passenger's age.

What's your experience with the new seatbelt cameras? Have you or someone you know been caught out by these changes, or do you think the technology is a necessary step for road safety? Share your thoughts with our community below.