Driver slams 'outrageous' $385 fine for seatbelt issue
- Replies 18
In a world where technology is increasingly relied upon to enforce the law, it's not uncommon for mistakes to be made.
This was the unfortunate reality for a Victorian driver who was slapped with a hefty $385 fine and three demerit points for what was claimed to be a seatbelt offence.
However, the driver is adamant that the camera's photos, which led to the fine, prove her passenger was wearing the seatbelt all along.
The incident occurred on January 5, when the woman was driving along the Princes Highway in Nar Nar Goon, in Victoria's Gippsland region.
Her mother was in the front passenger seat, and her daughter was in the back.
They were on their way to Melbourne Airport for a holiday to Bali.
Upon returning from their trip, the driver was shocked to find she'd been fined for a seatbelt offence.
She believes the angle of the camera made it appear as though her mother wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
'We believe the images show that the seatbelt is being used,' she said.
'Mum is 73-years-old and always wears one. I'll be appealing the fine.'
In the photos taken by the seatbelt detection camera, the seatbelt is seen extended from its socket, above the passenger's left shoulder.
The driver argues that this could only mean her mother was indeed wearing the seatbelt, and it may have been obscured by her hands.
The front window's frame also blocked the view of her mother's left side when the photo was taken, making it difficult to see the seatbelt across her torso. Interestingly, her mother was not fined.
This isn't the first time a seatbelt-related fine has caused controversy.
Last September, a Gold Coast mother was fined $1,161 because her chest caused a twist in her seatbelt while driving.
The infringement notice stated she had been fined for not wearing a seatbelt properly adjusted or fastened while riding in the passenger seat.
'I had the belt on properly over the shoulder, across the chest and buckled in,' she explained.
'My boob got in the way and caused what looks like a slight twist. I really can't believe I received the fine for something I feel I have no control over.'
In similar news, a woman emerged victorious after an 18-month court battle over an 'unfair' $413 seatbelt fine.
The long-time Gold Coast resident found the penalty unfair and claimed it was impossible to constantly monitor her daughter’s seatbelt position while driving.
According to the infringement notice from the Queensland Department for Transport and Main Roads, the fine was issued for 'driving with unrestrained front seat passenger' as the seatbelt strap was placed under her daughter’s arm instead of over her shoulder as required, while she sat in the front passenger seat.
The woman admitted the seatbelt was placed in the wrong position, but called the fine as 'revenue raising'.
You can read more about the story here.
What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you ever experienced a similar situation? Share your stories in the comments below.
This was the unfortunate reality for a Victorian driver who was slapped with a hefty $385 fine and three demerit points for what was claimed to be a seatbelt offence.
However, the driver is adamant that the camera's photos, which led to the fine, prove her passenger was wearing the seatbelt all along.
The incident occurred on January 5, when the woman was driving along the Princes Highway in Nar Nar Goon, in Victoria's Gippsland region.
Her mother was in the front passenger seat, and her daughter was in the back.
A woman was slapped with a hefty $385 fine for a seatbelt issue. Image source: rawpixel.com on Freepik.
They were on their way to Melbourne Airport for a holiday to Bali.
Upon returning from their trip, the driver was shocked to find she'd been fined for a seatbelt offence.
She believes the angle of the camera made it appear as though her mother wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
'We believe the images show that the seatbelt is being used,' she said.
'Mum is 73-years-old and always wears one. I'll be appealing the fine.'
In the photos taken by the seatbelt detection camera, the seatbelt is seen extended from its socket, above the passenger's left shoulder.
The driver argues that this could only mean her mother was indeed wearing the seatbelt, and it may have been obscured by her hands.
The front window's frame also blocked the view of her mother's left side when the photo was taken, making it difficult to see the seatbelt across her torso. Interestingly, her mother was not fined.
This isn't the first time a seatbelt-related fine has caused controversy.
Last September, a Gold Coast mother was fined $1,161 because her chest caused a twist in her seatbelt while driving.
The infringement notice stated she had been fined for not wearing a seatbelt properly adjusted or fastened while riding in the passenger seat.
'I had the belt on properly over the shoulder, across the chest and buckled in,' she explained.
'My boob got in the way and caused what looks like a slight twist. I really can't believe I received the fine for something I feel I have no control over.'
In similar news, a woman emerged victorious after an 18-month court battle over an 'unfair' $413 seatbelt fine.
The long-time Gold Coast resident found the penalty unfair and claimed it was impossible to constantly monitor her daughter’s seatbelt position while driving.
According to the infringement notice from the Queensland Department for Transport and Main Roads, the fine was issued for 'driving with unrestrained front seat passenger' as the seatbelt strap was placed under her daughter’s arm instead of over her shoulder as required, while she sat in the front passenger seat.
The woman admitted the seatbelt was placed in the wrong position, but called the fine as 'revenue raising'.
You can read more about the story here.
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