Drivers on NSW roads have been warned about using mobile phone detection cameras to detect a particular offence, and there will be no “grace period” for those caught and fined for an offence.
The statewide change on July 1 will see the cameras also used to detect when a driver or passenger is not wearing a seat belt properly.
The NSW government has urged motorists to prepare for the change as there will be no adjustment period for drivers once cameras start detecting “non-compliance” with seatbelt use.
A driver can be fined $387 and receive three demerit points if he or his passenger is not wearing a seat belt.
That fine increases to $1,245 and six demerit points if three or more passengers are found not wearing seat belts.
The state government announced the upgrade in November as part of the Road Safety Plan 2026 in a bid to minimize deaths on the state’s roads.
Between 2018 and 2022, more than 140 people died on New South Wales roads in crashes where people were not wearing seatbelts.
Drivers on NSW roads have been warned to prepare for mobile phone detection cameras to also detect people not wearing seatbelts from July 1 (pictured).
NSW Roads Minister John Graham said the improvement was “simple” as statistics revealed seatbelt wearers survived accidents twice as often.
“Enabling seat belt use through cell phone detection cameras is an important step towards reducing unnecessary road trauma,” he said.
Graham praised the “vast majority” of motorists who wear seatbelts correctly, but warned those who don’t could be fined.
“Despite five decades of law enforcement and public awareness campaigns, more than 10,000 people a year continue to be fined by NSW Police for not wearing a seatbelt,” he said.
‘I urge all drivers and passengers to properly fasten their seat belts every time they are in a vehicle. It’s a simple action and it can save your life.’
Roads and Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison added the upgrade would force drivers to wear seatbelts and “save lives”.
“More than 84 per cent of deaths and two-thirds of serious injuries caused by people not wearing seatbelts occur on rural roads,” Ms Aitchison said.
The state government said there will be no “warning period” for drivers and passengers who do not wear their seat belts correctly (file image)
‘Do not drive at excessive speed, do not drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, do not drive tired, do not use your mobile phone while driving and always wear your seat belt.
“It’s a small action that can make a big difference in preventing injuries and saving lives.”
Every year, around 29 drivers and passengers are killed and 76 seriously injured in New South Wales due to not wearing a seat belt.
Police will continue to enforce seat belt rules after the change.
The New South Wales government also promised that every dollar raised from upgrading mobile phone cameras would go towards road safety campaigns.
The same practice already applies to revenue earned through camera-based tickets, such as speed, red light, and average speed cameras.