NSW drivers pay $53 million in fines for passengers' seatbelt mistakes
Nearly 118,000 seatbelt fines totalled $53 million last year, with about two-thirds issued for passenger violations the driver could not prevent.
Sydney drivers are paying more than $50 million a year in fines for seatbelt violations they did not commit. In the past year, 118,000 seatbelt fines were issued totalling $53 million.
Almost 90 per cent were for incorrect wearing rather than unbuckled belts. About two-thirds of those incorrect-wear fines came from passengers.
Seatbelt cameras introduced in 2023 have driven fines up by 1,400 per cent. Driver Sophia White was fined almost $500 and received six demerit points when her passenger slipped his arm over his seatbelt during a drive in Chatswood.
She lost a court challenge but could not transfer the demerit points to her passenger. Queensland changed its law earlier this year to hold adult passengers directly liable for their own seatbelt violations.
Transport safety advocates argue that cameras should enforce safety, not generate revenue.
- 118,000
- Fines issued
- $53 million
- Total revenue
- 1,400%
- Increase since 2023
- About two-thirds
- Passenger-caused fines
Why it mattersDrivers face licence loss for passengers' behaviour beyond their control, creating perverse incentives where the person responsible escapes all penalty.
AustraliaNSW drivers are penalised for something they cannot prevent, while Queensland passengers now face direct liability, creating a fairness gap between states.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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