New seatbelt cameras have revealed an alarming rate of offences in New South Wales – about two-and-a-half times more than was expected.
Now the NSW Government has issued a plea to occupants of vehicles to wear a seatbelt and wear it correctly, every time.
In the first 21 days of camera enforcement of seatbelt usage, more than 11,400 penalties were issued – about three-quarters of which were for incorrect use of a seatbelt.
NSW Government said more seatbelt offences were detected by the cameras in three weeks than the total number of seatbelt fines issued by NSW Police in 2023.
“I’m surprised the numbers are so high,” said Minister for Roads, John Graham.
“We knew there was a problem with seatbelt compliance among a small section of motorists and passengers, but the reality is it is worse than expected and we need this to serve as a wake up call.”
He added: “The vast majority of the 6.9 million drivers on NSW roads wear a seatbelt every time, but the sad fact is that the small percentage of those who do not are twice as likely to die in a crash and are needlessly making up 15 per cent of all fatalities on our roads.
“We have a rising road toll in NSW and the straightforward act of putting a seatbelt on could save dozens of lives a year.”
