- More than 31,000 infringements have been issued for seatbelt, mobile phone, and speeding violations from WA's new safety cameras
- Touching or holding a mobile phone while driving carries a minimum $500 fine and three demerit points
- Penalties for failing to wear a seatbelt correctly start at $550 and four demerit points
- Cook Government supporting police to protect the community
More than 31,000 infringements have been issued from the first month of operation of the State's new fixed and trailer-mounted safety cameras.
Between 8 October and 8 November, more than 31,855infringements were issued for offences including:
- 12,288 for mobile phone use;
- 10,285 for seatbelt offences; and
- 9,282 for speeding offences.
A high number of infringements were issued to drivers whose passenger was incorrectly wearing a seatbelt.
The infringements represent about $13 million in fines and all funds from safety camera infringements are reinvested in road safety projects across Western Australia via the Road Trauma Trust Account.
Infringements began on 8 October following an extensive eight-month awareness and education period.
During that period, more than 380,000 offences were detected, with more than 65,000 caution notices issued.
The purpose of the caution notice period was to allow drivers to adjust their behaviour without immediate fines and demerits, while educating and building awareness of the new technology.
The safety cameras have revealed some disturbing insights into driver behaviour, including:
- a truck driver with no hands on the steering wheel, operating a laptop computer, using a mobile phone, and not wearing a seatbelt while driving 100 kilometres per hour on the Mitchell Freeway;
- a front seat passenger wearing no seatbelt, cradling an unrestrained baby; and
- a driver with no hands on the steering wheel, using a mobile phone, driving 20 kilometres per hour over the limit in a school zone.
The safety camera program is funded through the Road Trauma Trust Account, which sees 100 per cent of safety camera infringements allocated to projects and programs which reduce injuries and deaths on WA roads.
To learn more about offences and penalties visit wa.gov.au/rsc/safetycameras
As stated by Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby:
"Distracted driving and people not wearing seatbelts correctly are two major factors adding to the number of lives lost on our roads each and every year.
"Safety cameras give us more reach, more flexibility, and more opportunities to hold dangerous drivers to account.
"Our government gave Western Australian drivers eight months' notice to change their habits behind the wheel, but some drivers are still not understanding the danger of their behaviour.
"As we head into the festive season, this technology, combined with WA Police on road presence and enforcement, plays a major role in deterring these behaviours.
"These cameras are about changing behaviour to save more lives on WA roads.
"We will continue to build on initiatives and programs that send the message that distracted driving, seatbelt noncompliance, and speeding will not be tolerated."
As stated by Minister Assisting the Transport Minister Jessica Stojkovski:
"The new safety cameras are now detecting a range of behaviours that in many cases previously went undetected.
"Offences associated with mobile phone use and incorrect wearing of seatbelts, by drivers and by passengers, are turning up regularly.
"The message is: the technology is now out there, unsafe behaviours will get you fined, and you'll incur demerit points."
