Overview
- Western Australia disclosed Tuesday that about 2,000 seatbelt fines from AI-assisted cameras have been withdrawn, with roughly 60% of appealed penalties overturned.
- Since the cameras went live in October, the program has issued about 53,000 seatbelt infringements worth more than $29 million, averaging close to 300 notices a day.
- Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby said the technology is changing behaviour and saving lives, and he signalled a careful, staged expansion of the camera network.
- Officials said many cancellations involved drivers receiving multiple fines before any notice arrived, and they stressed that drivers are legally responsible for passengers’ seatbelts.
- A review led by the Road Safety Commissioner is underway and expected to run into 2027, as advocacy groups push for policy changes and motorists report review wait times of up to 20 business days.