A Queensland magistrate has dismissed a seatbelt fine issued to a driver whose passenger slipped the belt under their arm mid-trip, raising concerns about the reliability of AI-assisted cameras across Australia. The infringement was captured by an overhead camera on the M1 freeway in Brisbane.
Software engineer Hugo Burton, 22, received the fine late last year. Representing himself in court in January, he argued it was unreasonable and potentially unsafe to constantly monitor his passenger's seatbelt. Magistrate Kerry Magee agreed, noting the M1 is a potentially dangerous road requiring considerable concentration.
Magistrate Magee found the Department of Transport failed to exclude the possibility that Burton honestly and reasonably believed his passenger was wearing the seatbelt properly. She noted the prosecution would have difficulty defending cases where the passenger's seatbelt remained fastened.
In Western Australia, Milly Bartlett received a $550 fine and eight demerit points despite the photo evidence showing her wearing a seatbelt. She claims strong sun reflection made the belt appear white in the black-and-white image, causing the AI software to flag a breach. Bartlett appealed three weeks ago but is still awaiting an outcome.
Drivers and lawyers say the technology is producing inaccurate fines, creating a backlog in courts as more people challenge infringements. In WA, a review of the penalty system is underway, with Transport Minister Rita Saffioti acknowledging hearing from many people about seatbelt fine issues.
