Double demerit points will apply from tomorrow (Thursday, April 17) for seatbelt offences. Photo: Pixabay
New data just out reveals a spike in seatbelt offences during the holidays for drivers and passengers, says the NSW Government.
With double demerits due to take effect in NSW from Thursday to Monday (April 17-21), the government wants drivers to travel safely.
This year, there has been 98 deaths on NSW roads compared to 2024 when 35 people died from not wearing a seatbelt.
NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison says road safety weighs heavily upon her mind.
“I am accountable for our state’s road toll but it is everyone’s responsibility to play their role,” she says.
“I know the impact every death and serious injury on our roads has; you don’t need to meet with families of victims and survivors to begin to understand what effect that has on our communities.”
Aitchison points out that drivers have had more than 50 years to get used to seatbelts; it was made compulsory in NSW in 1971.
“Unlawful, lazy and life-risking behaviour by drivers, as well as passengers, is still far too common when it comes to wearing these restraints properly, if at all,” she says.
“Seatbelts save lives. (It) sounds catchy but it can’t catch on quick enough. Last year, one person died every 10 days on NSW roads when they weren’t wearing a seatbelt.”
She says during this double demerit period, offenders will face six demerit points and a $410 fine.
Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray says the Easter and Anzac long weekends means that drivers need to remain vigilant.
“I know during busy holiday periods — when trying to get the kids and other passengers in the car and get on the road, it can be a juggle — but it’s really important that drivers aren’t careless when it comes to making sure their children and other passengers know how to wear their seatbelts correctly,” he says.
“It’s great to see an improvement in compliance since the start of our enforcement program, with only one in every 1452 drivers checked issued a penalty for a seatbelt offence for themselves and/or their passengers in last week of March.”
He went on: “I continue to urge people to buckle up correctly and to make sure their passengers are also all wearing their seatbelts correctly.”
THE HARD NUMBERS
From December 24, 2024, to January 5, 2025, there were 7000 seatbelt offences across the state.
On Christmas Day, one in every 559 drivers was penalised for a seatbelt offence.
Over the Australia Day long weekend, over 1300 seatbelt offences were recorded.
The government is also reminding motorists that seatbelts are compulsory for everyone across the state.
After mobile phone cameras began to monitor compliance across NSW in July 2024, more than 105 million vehicles were checked with 87 per cent of all penalties issued for incorrect use of a seatbelts.
Every single dollar raised by seatbelt cameras is invested back into road safety.
DRIVERS REMEMBER
- Seat belts save lives: Seatbelts double the chance of survival and reduce the risk of injury in a road crash.
- Speeding kills: Speeding is the number one killer on NSW roads.
- Never text while driving: Using a mobile phone while driving affects your attention and response time.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs: Never get behind the wheel if you’re affected by illicit drugs or alcohol.
- Do not drive if you are tired: Fatigue kills. Each year, it accounts for around 20 per cent of road deaths in NSW. If you are driving and feel fatigued, stop, revive and survive.
