Driver's holiday warning to millions after $410 fine on Aussie road
The costly mistake was made by the passenger while a dad was driving.
An Aussie dad has issued a warning to millions of drivers hitting the road this holiday period after he copped a hefty fine in the mail for a seatbelt mistake made by his daughter in the passenger seat.
The New South Wales man shared how he "didn't believe" it when he received the hefty $410 fine in the mail. But after reviewing the images, he realised his daughter was caught leaning over to talk to him and inadvertently let her seatbelt slip from her shoulder.
The dad claims that images from the camera show the split-second moment. "I looked at the photos, and fair enough, there she is leaning over," he said. "It's come off, and there's nothing I could have done. I've told her safety. She knows the rules. She's just accidentally lent over, and it's got me the fine, and there's no way out of it"
The dad shared his experience as a warning as double demerits coming into effect. "So watch your kids this Christmas, watch those seatbelts and if you start to doubt [them], talk to your kids about it," he said.
Mobile and seatbelt detection cameras catch out thousands of drivers
Car passengers are required by law to wear their seatbelt diagonally from the top of their shoulder across their chest, with improper use often potentially resulting in severe injuries if a collision occurs. Drivers are responsible for all passengers in their vehicle, state road authorities say.
The use of mobile phone detection cameras to capture seatbelt offences began in New South Wales on July 1 and within just 21 days, 11,400 fines were issued.
Fines vary from state to state with Queensland drivers copping the highest fine of $1209 and 4 demerit points. In Victoria, it's $395 and 3 demerit points.
The dad is not the first driver to cop a hefty fine for a seatbelt offence allegedly made by a passenger. One motorist last month copped a $410 fine for the same offence, with nothing more than a grainy, unclear photo as proof of the act.
The NSW man told Yahoo News the state's new mobile and seatbelt detection cameras snapped his mate supposedly performing the offence in the passenger seat. But he argues this isn't clear from the images provided as proof which he says are "terrible quality".
😤 Driver rages over $387 fine issued after six-second moment
📸 Fears of 'mistakes' with new cameras targeting Aussie drivers
When will double demerits end across Australia?
Demerit points rules vary from state to state. See below for a state by state breakdown.
NSW
Double-demerit points come into effect on Friday, December 20 and will end on Wednesday, January 1 2025.
Western Australia
Just like NSW, Western Australia will slap drivers with double-demerit points starting on Friday, December 20 and ending on Sunday, January 5.
ACT
Another state doubling demerits over the Christmas break is the ACT, which follows the same rules as NSW, starting from Friday, December, 20 and ending on Wednesday, January 1.
Queensland
Queensland, unlike the other states, does not apply double-demerit points during the Christmas period, but they’re enforced year-round for some drivers.
Drivers who repeatedly commit traffic offences with be hit with double demerits for the second or subsequent offences if the later offence was committed within 12 months of an earlier offence.
Victoria
Unlike the above states, Victoria does not enforce double demerits during public holidays – or any time of the year.
South Australia
In South Australia, there are no double-demerit points enforced at any point of the year.
Tasmania
There are no double-demerit points enforced at any time of the year in Tasmania.
Northern Territory
Just like Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria, there are no double demerits enforced at any time of the year in the Northern Territory.
— With NCA Newswire
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
