Canberra woman fined $641 over seatbelt hidden by camera flash
Elley Clayton was fined $641 for a seatbelt the camera rendered white with flash, though it was actually visible in photos.
On July 2, a fixed traffic camera on Gungahlin Drive snapped a photo of Elley Clayton driving past while dropping her child at school. Access Canberra issued her a $641 fine and three demerit points for not wearing a seatbelt.
Clayton insists she was wearing it. Camera flash made her black jumper stark white, and also made the dark seatbelt appear white.
In one photo the seatbelt is visible but positioned away from her mid-shoulder. She disputed the fine, arguing the flash distorted the camera's view.
The Infringement Review Office rejected her appeal, citing the visible seatbelt position. Clayton paid the fine while maintaining her innocence, fearing a court battle could lead to a criminal conviction.
- $641
- Fine amount
- 3
- Demerit points
- Gungahlin Drive, Mitchell
- Camera location
- July 2, 2026
- Date
Why it mattersCamera-based fines can be issued based on images where lighting and clothing create confusion, leaving drivers little recourse even when they believe they followed the law.
AustraliaACT residents risk receiving traffic fines based on traffic camera images that may not accurately show whether a seatbelt is worn correctly.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
