Navigating the roads of Sydney can be a challenge at the best of times, but for one local driver, a simple oversight turned into a costly lesson. A Sydney motorist has been slapped with a staggering $2050 fine for a seatbelt violation, a reminder to all of us that road safety rules are not just guidelines but laws that carry significant penalties when broken.
The incident came to light when an employee of a car rental company shared the story on Reddit, along with a photo of the fine. The driver was penalised for having a passenger whose seatbelt was not properly adjusted or fastened – a basic but crucial aspect of road safety. The fine was issued after a seatbelt detection camera caught the violation on the M4 Motorway near Greystanes on December 22, 2024.
This particular case was compounded by the fact that the vehicle was a company car, which meant the fines were five times higher than those for individual vehicles. The notice explained that once a driver is nominated, the fine would be reduced. However, if no driver is nominated, the full fine amount of $2050 must be paid, along with an additional fine of over $1400. Ultimately, the man responsible ended up paying $400 and losing six demerit points.
The online community expressed disbelief and confusion over how such a mistake could happen. Some users suggested that the driver might not have been local, given it was a rental car, and may not have been familiar with the strict enforcement of road rules in NSW. Others were baffled by the idea of wearing a seatbelt incorrectly, with comments ranging from concerns about safety to frustration over the disregard for road rules.
The importance of seatbelt safety cannot be overstressed. According to the NSW Government, seatbelts double the chances of survival in a road crash and significantly reduce the risk of serious injury. Alarmingly, each year around 29 people are killed and 76 are seriously injured on NSW roads due to not wearing a seatbelt. The law requires drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts properly, with the lap portion across the hips and the sash over the chest and mid-shoulder.
From July 1, 2024, phone and seatbelt detection cameras have been actively monitoring drivers and passengers for compliance. Despite over 50 years of mandatory seatbelt laws in NSW, non-compliance continues to result in preventable fatalities and injuries.
If you’re caught by these cameras and receive a fine but believe you’ve not committed an offence, you can request a review from Revenue NSW. However, exemptions to wearing a seatbelt are very limited, with drivers only being excused when reversing or operating a garbage or delivery vehicle at low speeds with frequent stops.
Have you ever experienced a moment when you or your passengers forgot to buckle up? We’d love to hear your thoughts on road safety. Share your experiences in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going to help everyone stay safe on the roads.
Also read: Court fines AGL $25 million over welfare payment breaches
