WA police drop hundreds of AI seatbelt fines to avoid wasting court time
Hundreds of fines issued via AI-assisted traffic cameras are being dropped in WA, with officers unable to prove drivers knew their passengers were wearing their seatbelts incorrectly.
Western Australia's police have dropped hundreds of AI-assisted seatbelt-related traffic fines due to a lack of proof that drivers were aware their passengers were improperly restrained. The Department of Transport introduced these road safety cameras in October last year, leading to police issuing 81,412 seatbelt infringements, which carry a $550 fine and four demerit points.
Most Australian states have since adopted this AI system, which identifies potential mobile phone and seatbelt breaches. Police Commissioner Col Blanch stated that hundreds of fines were dismissed because there was no reasonable prospect of a conviction, as only about 5% of these cases result in a trial. The Western Australian Police Force is reviewing the penalties from AI cameras to determine if they constitute a burden.
Lisa Taylor, who had a 10-year-old daughter with her sash under her arm, contested her infringement and had it overturned after eight months. Emily Esplan, whose husband was fined after a camera captured her seatbelt slipping off while she gave her child water, also received a letter stating no further action would be taken. The Road Safety Commission claims that AI-assisted cameras have reduced the number of mobile phone and seatbelt infractions by 76% from September 2025 to August 2026.
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