Almost two million Australian drivers have been formally warned that new high-tech roadside safety cameras will be operating in enforcement mode from today, following months of a trial phase that resulted in the detection of a staggering 300,000 infringements.
Western Australia’s AI-enabled road safety cameras will scan for mobile phone offences, incorrect use of seatbelts, and speeding, alerting authorities when drivers are in breach and now issuing fines. They’ve been stationed on the roads since late January, and have already detected — but not penalised — a “mind-boggling” number of offences.
On Tuesday, the state’s top cop cautioned motorists across the state in a last-ditch effort to ensure compliance, stating residents had been “given plenty of notice”.
“If you are caught in the first week, you’ll have to seriously question your ability to be on the road because you know it’s a conscious decision to put on a seatbelt and it’s an important decision,” Police Commissioner Col Blanch said, The West Australian reported.
“We don’t want to see anyone die on the road. And I certainly don’t want to send police to fatal car accidents.”
Speaking to Yahoo News ahead of the change, WA RAC General Manager External Relations, Will Golsby, reminded motorists that the state ranks consistently among the worst in the nation when it comes to road safety. Golsby said it’s a grim feat drivers must strive to fix.
“Last year was one of the worst for road deaths in a decade, and we are tragically on track for a terrible year yet again,” he had earlier said.
“Road safety cameras are an important measure to crack down on dangerous behaviour … including the use of mobile phones while driving. This type of technology can help save lives and stop serious injuries on our roads, and we look forward to seeing it fully rolled out.”
Blanch encouraged road users to “just start driving better, paying more attention” and to “get off their phones”. “And put your seatbelt on, and then we won’t have to worry about fining you,” he said.
A P-plater’s companion holds the wheel while they use their mobile phone. Source: WA government
Western Australia’s ‘terrible’ track record on the road
More than 300,000 West Australians have been caught driving without a seatbelt, using a mobile phone, or speeding in the past eight months. Of those, around 70,000 were detected wearing a seatbelt incorrectly, while another 20,000 were found not wearing one at all. A further 135,000 motorists were photographed touching or using their mobile phones while driving.
Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby said the State Government had issued about 65,000 caution notices to give drivers ample warning before fines are introduced.
The Caught In A Flash advertising campaign launched on Sunday night across television, radio, print, digital, social media and roadside billboards as a final reminder ahead of warning letters being replaced by fines. As of Tuesday, 144 people have lost their lives on WA roads this year.
A man was caught drinking a beer while driving. Source: WA government
Earlier this year, lawmakers criticised drivers who accumulated hundreds of thousands of offences in a short period. Police Minister Reece Whitby had earlier branded the mountain of evidence as “quite astonishing”.
“We’re seeing people do the wrong thing again and again … [it’s] mind-boggling,” he said. “What we’re seeing is such an extreme and astounding rate of offences by some in the community”. Whitby said the figures should serve as a “huge wake-up call” to drivers in the state.
One motorist was caught a whopping 81 times in breach of an offence. Another was caught holding what appeared to be a beer in one hand, a mobile phone in the other, while not wearing a seatbelt. Another was snapped smoking a glass pipe, while somebody else was found to be driving while holding a child.
What are the fines for mobile and seatbelt offences in WA?
In Western Australia, the fines depend on the severity of the offence, starting from $500 and going as high as $1000.
Mobile phone offences:
Illegal phone use: $500 fine and 3 demerit points. This includes holding, touching or resting a phone on any part of the body.
Serious illegal phone use: $1,000 fine and 4 demerit points. This includes creating, sending, or looking at a text, email, social media, photo, video or similar.
Seatbelt offences:
Unrestrained driver: $550 and 4 demerit points
Unrestrained driver with 1 unrestrained passenger: $600 and 4 demerit points
Unrestrained driver with 2 unrestrained passengers: $700 and 4 demerit points
Unrestrained driver with 3 unrestrained passengers: $800 and 4 demerit points
Unrestrained driver with 4 or more unrestrained passengers: $900, 4 demerit points
Restrained driver with 1 unrestrained passenger: $550 and 4 demerit points
Restrained driver with 2 unrestrained passengers: $600 and 4 demerit points
Restrained driver with 3 unrestrained passengers: $700 and 4 demerit points
Restrained driver with 4 or more unrestrained passengers: $800 and 4 demerit points
Passenger age 16 or over unrestrained: $550
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