New data has shown a spike in seatbelt related offences in New South Wales during busy school holiday periods for drivers and passengers wearing their seatbelt incorrectly.
Over the peak summer holidays period, from December 24 last year to January 5, 2025, there was 7,000 seatbelt offences recorded across the state, with Christmas Day seeing one in every 559 drivers issued a penalty notice for a seatbelt offence.
Further, over the Australia Day long weekend there were over 1,300 seatbelt offences recorded.
Now the Government is reminding drivers that seatbelts save lives, and are a legal requirement for all drivers and passengers across the state.
“Unlawful, lazy and life-risking behaviour by drivers, as well as passengers, is still far too common when it comes to wearing these restraints properly, if at all,” said Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison.
“Seatbelts save lives. Sounds catchy but it can’t catch on quick enough. Last year, one person died every ten days on NSW roads when they weren’t wearing a seatbelt.”
Seatbelt enforcement has been significantly increased in NSW, with mobile phone cameras beginning to monitor seatbelt compliance in July 2024.
Every single dollar raised by seatbelt cameras is invested directly back into road safety.
