A RECENT BLITZ IN QUEENSLAND has nabbed tens of thousands of drivers not wearing their seatbelts (or not wearing them correctly, which incurs the same fine).
It’s hard to comprehend why people would so needlessly put themselves at risk, with the benefits of wearing a properly adjusted seatbelt so well proven over many years.
Once again, technology is being employed to catch drivers. Infrared cameras which detect both mobile phone and seatbelt offences were launched in Queensland in July last year and are proving remarkably effective (and, dare we say it, profitable).
For the first three months, the cameras generated warnings to motorists breaking the rules.
As usual, drivers caught have denied that they were doing the wrong thing. They have used excuses such as “I always wear my seatbelt” or pointed out that the technology in their cars would have alerted them if they weren’t wearing a seatbelt.
Andrew Mahon from Transport and Main Roads Queensland said the cameras rarely get it wrong.
“The technology is exceptional, the image quality is very high quality and we can always determine whether or not an offence has occurred,” Mahon said.
The cameras have a three-step process.
First the camera technology picks up, through artificial intelligence, if an offence has been committed.
Then the photos are sent to two different authorised officers to sign off on, before a fine is issued.
Motorists then have the ability to log on to the Transport and Main Roads system following the links on their infringement notice, to view high-definition photos of the offence.
Some drivers have been caught not wearing their seatbelt correctly, such as slipping it under the arm (which would not activate the seatbelt warning in a modern car, because the seatbelt, although incorrectly worn, is still connected).
“Not wearing the seatbelt correctly is the same offence as not wearing it at all,” Mahon said.
Of the 75,000 fines handed out in the past six months, 20,000 have been for seatbelt offences. The current fine for not wearing a seatbelt, or wearing it incorrectly in Queensland is $413, but it will become even more costly from July 1 when the fine rises to $1078.
You have been warned.