A car rental company worker warned drivers not to break a common road rule after a customer received a $2,050 fine.
The Sydney employee shared a photo of the hefty fine online, revealing the customer was arrested for improper seatbelt use on the M4 at Greystanes, in Sydney’s west, on December 22.
“I work for a car rental company and have seen more incidents of this type in recent months,” they posted on Reddit.
‘This poor guy received double demerit.
“In this case, the passenger was wearing the seat belt under his shoulder.”
As the driver used a rental car, he incurred a fine five times higher than that imposed on private individuals.
“Once a driver is nominated, the fine will be reduced,” the notice said.
“If you do not name a driver, you will have to pay the full amount of the fine of $2,050 and face an additional fine of more than $1,400.”
A driver faced a $2,050 fine after being caught wearing his seat belt under his arm while driving a rental car (file image)
The driver ended up paying a $400 fine and lost six demerit points.
Hundreds of commenters expressed confusion over why the driver ignored a common traffic rule.
‘I can’t believe someone born before 1970 doesn’t wear a seatbelt by default. “I’m pretty sure it was law long before I was born and I’m 40 years old,” one wrote.
Another added: “This is literally part of the driver knowledge test and road user manual.”
One suggested the driver might not be local.
“Many of the police tools we use here are not known abroad,” they commented.
As the driver used a rental car, he incurred a fine (pictured) five times higher than that imposed on private individuals.
“While the rules should always be followed, I wonder to what extent some tourists would be aware of how strict we are unless they are clearly told.”
Another added: “I got into an Uber in Italy and when we immediately put our seatbelts on, the driver turned and said, ‘Australian?'”
According to the New South Wales Government, seat belts double your chances of surviving a car accident and significantly reduce the risk of serious injury.
On average, 29 people are killed and 76 seriously injured in crashes without wearing seatbelts on New South Wales roads each year.
Laws require drivers and passengers to wear seat belts correctly and state that for the belt to be considered safe, it must fit “low, flat and firm.”
Phone detection and seatbelt cameras were implemented in New South Wales from July 1 last year and drivers were only allowed to avoid seatbelt use in very limited circumstances.
Fully licensed drivers do not need to wear a seat belt when reversing or when driving a garbage or delivery vehicle traveling below 25 km/h and stopping frequently.