General News
11 May, 2024
New seatbelt enforcement to hit NSW roads
In a novel effort to counter the rising number of road fatalities across NSW, the state government will be enforcing the wearing of seatbelts using existing mobile phone detection cameras as of July 1.
In a novel effort to counter the rising number of road fatalities across NSW, the state government will be enforcing the wearing of seatbelts using existing mobile phone detection cameras as of July 1. On average, fifteen percent of deaths on NSW roads every year involve people not wearing seatbelts, a simple act that could have saved their lives.
Wearing a seatbelt while in a car has been a legal requirement in NSW since 1971, but 150 people lost their lives In traffic related accidents while not wearing one between 2019 and 2023. Despite national efforts, the number of road fatalities in Australia has steadily increased over the past decade.
Phone detection cameras, commonly found on traffic lights around NSW, will be upgraded for the detection of seatbelts in cars as well. The upgraded system is planned for a July 1 start and will be the first of its kind worldwide. Unlike when other new enforcement technologies have come into effect, there will be no grace period or warnings after the cameras are enabled.
“Seatbelts save lives, it’s as simple as that,” said minister for roads John Graham as part of a campaign during National Road Safety Week. “Wearing a seatbelt doubles a person’s chance of survival in a car crash. Camera enforcement will be a significant step to reducing needless trauma on the roads that comes at the cost of families, loved ones and the first responders who routinely deal with unimaginable tragedy. I am glad to announce the July 1 start date to seatbelt camera enforcement as we remember road trauma victims during National Road Safety Week.”
Seatbelt detection cameras are the NSW government’s latest effort to curb the rising number of road fatalities.
Measures introduced in the past include phone detection cameras – the foundation of the new seatbelt detection network – and mobile roadside speed cameras. Minister for regional transport and roads Jenny Aitchison was confident in saying that the rollout of seatbelt detection cameras will reach regional roads.
“Nobody is above the law, and we want to see [everybody] wear a seatbelt and wear it correctly every single trip. We cannot overestimate how important wearing a seatbelt is to saving your life if the worst happens and you’re in a crash,” she said.
