A single dad has urged motorists traveling with loved ones over the Christmas period to be more vigilant after he was fined $410 for his daughter leaning in her car seat.
The New South Wales man, who calls himself divorceddaussiety on TikTok, was surprised to receive the fine in the mail after recently going on a trip with his nine-year-old daughter.
He explained how an unfortunately placed mobile phone detection camera captured the exact moment his daughter’s seatbelt slipped off her shoulder for a “split second” as she leaned over to speak to him.
The father shared his story in the hope other motorists learn from his costly mistake with a double demerit currently in effect in New South Wales until January 2.
“I looked at the photos and sure enough, there she was leaning over,” he explained in the video.
I dropped it and couldn’t have done anything. I have told you security; She knows the rules. She accidentally lent me money and that cost me the fine, and there’s no way around it.
‘So look after your children this Christmas, look after those seat belts and if you start to doubt them, talk to your children about it.
He joked that his nine-year-old son “unknowingly ruined Christmas.”
NSW father warned other drivers to be careful about wearing seatbelts
New South Wales began using mobile phone detection cameras to capture seatbelt violations in July.
About 11,400 fines of $410 were imposed in the first three weeks of the rule coming into force.
Penalties vary across Australia, with Queensland imposing the highest fine of $1,209 and four demerit points on offending drivers.
In Victoria, drivers are fined $395 and three demerit points.
Many TikTok viewers shared similar stories.
‘Yeah. My 10 year old son also did it with me. Same thing as “not adjusted correctly” was on mine. But it happened in Queensland: $1300 and four demerit points! We fought and we won,” wrote one mother.
Another added: ‘In Queensland my daughter just received a seatbelt ticket for over $1000! There was a giant huntsman spider in the car and her friend tried to get away from it and was caught on camera. It’s brutal.’
Double demerits apply during holiday period in several states as thousands of motorists hit the road
Others called the case “blatant revenue raising.”
“I’m so sorry this happened, the same thing happened to my brother with his daughter in Queensland but the fine was much bigger and they couldn’t fight the charge,” one wrote.
Another added: ‘Dispute it. I got one for scratching a mosquito bite that was on my shoulder under the seat belt. Having my hand there was not allowed, they let me go because it really was a matter of a split second.”
Some were unhappy about receiving demerit points for seat belt violations.
Demerit point rules vary from state to state.
In New South Wales, double demerit The sanctions are in force until January 2.
In Western Australia, double demerit points began on December 20 and will end on January 5.
In the ACT, drivers face double demerit points for the same period as New South Wales.
Queensland drivers do not face double demerit points over the Christmas period, but repeat traffic offenders can receive double demerit on subsequent offenses throughout the year.
Victoria does not operate any type of double demerit system, but drivers caught breaking interstate rules will be penalized in accordance with local traffic laws.