A Perth grandfather is offering to help drivers appeal AI-assisted seatbelt fines after his daughter was penalised for her young child improperly wearing a seatbelt. Ross Taylor, whose daughter Lisa received a $550 fine, said he spent over an hour on hold to the Department of Transport to appeal the infringement. He described the situation as 'grossly unfair' and noted that a driver caught speeding up to 29 km/h over the limit would face a lower fine of $400 and three demerit points.
The AI-assisted cameras, rolled out across Western Australia last year, detect mobile phone use and incorrect seatbelt use. Since October, around 36,000 seatbelt infringements have been issued, with fines starting at $550 and four demerit points. Drivers are being penalised for passengers' behaviour, including young children and neurodivergent individuals not wearing seatbelts correctly.
Disability support worker Elli Figomnari received four infringements for seatbelt breaches involving her neurodivergent client and now faces losing her licence. She said, 'It's beyond nerve-wracking. I'm a full-time single mum, and my work means everything to me.' The Department of Transport has assigned extra staff to handle the volume of inquiries from people challenging the fines.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said people can appeal fines for 'exceptional circumstances,' while the Road Safety Commissioner has ordered a review of the process. Former police officer and Labor MP Mark Folkard defended the laws, stating exemptions for not wearing a seatbelt are limited to reversing a car or being a taxi driver.
