An Australian driver has been fined $410 after her front-seat passenger was caught not wearing a seatbelt correctly.
The costly mistake was caught on a mobile detection camera on a Sydney road.
The camera captured the woman wearing her seat belt under her arm instead of across her shoulder.
The simple mistake left the driver hundreds of dollars out of pocket and also earned her three demerit points.
She took to social media to express her frustration at the penalty for the minor offence, admitting it was a “lesson learned and a costly one”.
“I think the fine should be on the passenger, but the law says it is the driver’s responsibility,” the woman wrote.
Passengers over the age of 16 can also be fined on the spot if the police catch them not wearing their seat belt correctly.
More than 11,400 fines have been issued to drivers and passengers for seat belt offences in New South Wales this year.
The camera caught the passenger with the seat belt under her arm instead of crossed over her shoulder (pictured)
Around 75 percent of these fines were imposed on drivers for not wearing their seat belts correctly.
Among the violations detected are children sharing seats with adults and babies travelling without restraints.
Mobile phone detection cameras have been used across New South Wales since July 1 to enforce seat belt laws across the state.
The state government passed legislation on November 29, 2023 to implement the new measure.
Around 29 drivers are killed and 76 seriously injured on New South Wales roads each year due to not wearing a seat belt.
Mobile phone detection cameras (pictured) have been in use across New South Wales since 1 July to enforce seat belt laws across the state.
The offence also carries significant penalties: in Queensland, drivers will receive a whopping $1,209 fine and four demerit points.
Drivers in WA also face hefty fines, with an offence carrying a $600 fine.
