Authorities in Western Australia have decided to retract numerous traffic violations related to seatbelt usage that were recorded by AI-enhanced safety cameras. Police Commissioner Col Blanch disclosed that these cases were dismissed after considering “reasonable defenses” presented by drivers.
Despite the dismissal of these infringements, many individuals reported not receiving direct communication from law enforcement regarding their cases. The state’s Department of Transport launched these advanced road safety cameras in October of the previous year, leading to the issuance of 81,412 fines for seatbelt violations, each carrying penalties of $550 and 8 demerit points.
Several Australian states have implemented variations of this camera system, which utilizes artificial intelligence to detect potential violations related to mobile phone usage and seatbelt compliance. Following the issuance of fines, a significant number of drivers have contested these penalties, with around 7 percent, or approximately 5,700 cases, being overturned upon review.
Commissioner Blanch noted that many of the fines were dismissed because there was “no reasonable prospect” for a successful conviction in court. He mentioned that only about 5 percent of these cases reach the police force, with an even smaller fraction resulting in trials. “We don’t want to waste the courts’ time on a matter we aren’t going to win anyway,” he stated during an interview with ABC Perth.
A review of the penalties associated with the AI cameras is currently underway, as Commissioner Blanch emphasized the need for the government to evaluate the effectiveness and potential burdens of this system.
One example involves Lisa Taylor, who received a fine after an AI camera recorded her 10-year-old daughter with the seatbelt sash positioned under her arm while traveling on the Kwinana Freeway. Taylor, driving in heavy traffic after a family holiday, explained that she could not control her child at that moment, as her attention was focused on the road. After contesting the infringement, it was overturned eight months later, and a police prosecutor informed her that there were no grounds for prosecution, clarifying that it is not advisable for drivers to check on passengers while driving.
While many drivers like Taylor received calls from police regarding their overturned fines, others reported only receiving letters weeks later, indicating no further action would be taken. Emily Esplan’s husband was one such driver who received a similar letter after contesting a fine captured by a camera on Toodyay Road. Esplan recounted the relief they felt upon receiving the news, celebrating the outcome after a stressful ordeal where her husband faced potential legal fees in addition to the fine.
The Road Safety Commission has indicated that the implementation of AI cameras has significantly decreased the number of individuals using mobile phones improperly or failing to wear seatbelts, which may have positive implications for road safety. The commission reported a 76 percent reduction in seatbelt and mobile phone violations detected by these cameras from September 2025 to August 2026, although the cameras were still in the trial phase during that time.
Data over the past decade shows that, on average, 20 percent of deaths among vehicle occupants involved individuals not wearing seatbelts. However, by 2025, following two years of trials and educational campaigns, this figure dropped to 13.8 percent.
