NSW Implements Seatbelt Detection with Speed Cameras from July 1

11 Jul Blog

New South Wales has introduced a significant road safety measure with speed cameras now enforcing seatbelt laws as of July 1. Drivers and passengers caught without a seatbelt will face fines up to $410 and a minimum of three demerit points. This new regulation is being enforced by existing mobile and stationary cameras across the state.

This seatbelt enforcement initiative is part of a broader strategy by the NSW government to enhance road safety, which also includes converting foreign licences to NSW licences within six months, a demerit return trial for drivers with spotless records, and doubling the number of roadside enforcement sites for speed cameras. Minister for Roads, John Graham, emphasised the importance of wearing seatbelts, highlighting the tragic fact that non-compliance continues to result in fatalities. Minister for Regional Roads, Jenny Aitchson, pointed out that the new measures will be crucial in protecting residents, particularly in regional areas where road fatalities are disproportionately high.

Data from 2019 to 2023 shows that 150 people died in NSW without wearing a seatbelt, underscoring the need for these stringent measures. Every dollar raised from seatbelt camera fines will be reinvested into road safety initiatives to ensure the wellbeing of all road users in the state.