A Perth FIFO worker has encouraged people to come forward and contest AI camera seatbelt fines after revealing the straightforward court process in a social media video.
Mining worker's experience
Mining worker Ashlea, known as The Salty Pinup on social media, took to TikTok on Thursday to share her experience of having a $550 fine and four demerit points overturned after her male passenger was caught by an AI camera wearing his seatbelt incorrectly.
Ashlea, dubbed “the world’s hottest truck driver” in 2023, warned her 82,000 followers to “not pay” any fines from AI cameras after she got hers “wiped” after a police officer asked her three simple questions.
“I had to go to court because you know the new AI cameras, my passenger had slipped his seatbelt underneath his arm, so because I’m a driver, that means it’s allegedly my fault, so I received a $550 fine plus I lost four demerit points, which actually caused me to lose my license,” she said.
“I was like f..k that, like that’s crazy because you know you can’t be taking your eyes off the road to constantly check if your passengers slip the seatbelt underneath their arm.
“So anyway, I walked into the court, it was extremely busy, and I was so nervous and anyway, as soon as I got in there, a police officer lady said, ‘Anyone who’s here because their passenger was wearing a seatbelt, come with me’.”
Three simple questions
Ashlea said the police officer went on to ask, “Did you notice your passenger putting on their seatbelt properly before you left?” To which she replied: “Yes.”
“Did you notice them taking their seatbelt off during the journey?” To which she replied: “No.”
“If you saw them, what would you have said?” To which she replied: “Put it back on.”
Ashlea said after she answered those questions, her “case was dismissed” and her fine was “wiped”.
“So if you are in that position, do not pay it because it’s actually crazy that you are liable for that, and it’s such a huge fine and such a large amount of damages,” she said.
Reactions from followers
Ashlea’s followers flooded the comments section, surprised by the outcome and wishing they, too, had appealed similar fines.
“What the f..k - I wish I’d seen this about two weeks ago before I paid this exact fine,” one follower said.
Another said: “Omg I wish I went to court! Mine was the same, but double demerits.”
“If I’ve already paid the fine can I reverse it do you think?” a third added.
Another follower said: “Thank god you didn’t just accept it!! So good to know.”
“The fact that she called for a whole group tells me the new AI cameras aren’t as effective as traffic control thought they were gonna be,” someone else said.
Context of AI camera fines
Ashlea’s PSA comes after The West Australian revealed 60 per cent of WA motorists who appealed against controversial AI camera seatbelt fines have had their penalties withdrawn.
Much of the criticism of the cameras has centred around motorists copping penalties over the actions of their passengers.
Hundreds of people have joined an online community group calling for changes to the policy.
A Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure spokesperson said motorists were responsible for ensuring all passengers in their vehicle, including children, are appropriately restrained.
