Aussie drivers need to be more mindful of seatbelt compliance and the high penalties that accompany it. A reminder has gone out that passengers over the age of 16 who do not wear their seatbelts will incur a $1,255 fine and 4 demerit points will be placed on the driver’s license. Drivers in Australia can expect penalties of $1,255 to be issued due to the zero-tolerance approach to unsafe vehicular behaviours and the aim of reducing avoidable fatalities.
Drivers Have the Ultimate Responsibility
Despite the self-responsibility that each person in a vehicle should maintain, the law in Australia assigns primary responsibility to the driver. Even when adult passengers are the ones who fail to wear seatbelts, it is the driver who is penalized. Fines are generally in the range of $1,000 or more across Australia. Increased roadside compliance checks and automated enforcement are in place to ensure compliance.
Seat Belts Continue to be Effective Lifesavers
Seat belt compliance is one of the easiest ways to save lives on the road. According to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Communications, wearing a seat belt decreases the chance of dying or sustaining a serious injury by 50%. After decades of awareness campaigns, one in ten road deaths in Australia still involve unrestrained occupants. The government’s stricter enforcement is aimed at closing this safety gap through deterrence and education.
Fines and Consequences by State
Each part of Australia is a bit different when it comes to penalties, but all jurisdictions apply high fines and demerit points. All states enforce repeated fines and demerit points to the point where someone could lose their licence for repeated offending in a year. Also, if an accident occurs and the passenger is unrestrained, the driver’s insurance claim could be denied, leaving the driver at a great financial risk.
| State/Territory | Driver Fine (AUD) | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | $1,255 | 4 |
| Victoria | $1,078 | 3 |
| Queensland | $1,161 | 4 |
| South Australia | $1,067 | 3 |
Safety Awareness Over Penalty Fear
Though fines can deter behavior, the authorities’ primary concern is the encouragement of safer driving. Australian police have lately recommended that drivers make it a rule to check that all those in the vehicle have their seat belts on before the vehicle is turned on. Vehicles, however, newer ones in addition to having seat belt reminders, visual warnings. This remains the drivers’ primary concern. A financial loss is better appreciated than the loss due to an accident.
Campaigns Targeting Young Passengers
Statistics indicate that the most likely age group to not wear a seat belt, especially in an urban setting, is those aged 16 to 25. This age group was the most likely to not wear a seat belt on quick, urban journeys. This is the group that is most likely to not wear a seat belt.4 National road safety campaigns started targeting younger passengers using social media and digital advertisements. To all those driving, the message is clear, seat belts are compulsory and wearing it saves lives.
Conclusion
Australia might feel like it has the strictest enforcement of seatbelt rules, but it has the strictest enforcement for a reason – it saves lives. Sure, a fine of $1,255 hurts, but it’s a small price to pay when compared to the tragedies that can occur when a seatbelt is not worn. Everyone on the road – drivers and passengers – has a responsibility to ensure their own safety, and a simple “click” is all it takes before you hit the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can the driver be fined if an adult passenger decides not to wear a seatbelt?
Yes, in most of Australia, the driver is liable, and that person can be fined even if the passenger is over 16.
2. Is there a difference in seatbelt fine amounts in different states?
Yes, Australia is different in that each state implements it’s own penalties, which typically range from $1,000 to $1,255.
3. Is the fine the same for children under 16?
No, and if children are unrestrained, the driver has to pay even more fines and additional legal penalties.
