More than 31,000 infringements have been issued from the first month of WA's new AI fixed and trailer-mounted safety cameras.
The cameras captured some shocking behaviour including a front seat passenger not wearing a seatbelt while cradling an unrestrained baby, a truck driver with no hands on the steering wheel, using a laptop and a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt while driving 100 kilometres per hour on the Mitchell Freeway and a driver painting their finger nails.
Between October 8 and November 8, 12,288 infringements were issued for mobile phone use, 10,285 for seatbelt offences and 9282 for speeding offences.
The infringements represent about $13 million in fines and all funds from safety camera infringements are reinvested in road safety projects across Western Australia via the Road Trauma Trust Account.
“Distracted driving and people not wearing seatbelts correctly are two major factors adding to the number of lives lost on our roads each and every year," Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby said.
“Safety cameras give us more reach, more flexibility, and more opportunities to hold dangerous drivers to account.
“Our government gave Western Australian drivers eight months’ notice to change their habits behind the wheel, but some drivers are still not understanding the danger of their behaviour.
“As we head into the festive season, this technology, combined with WA Police on road presence and enforcement, plays a major role in deterring these behaviours.
To learn more about offences and penalties visit wa.gov.au/rsc/safetycameras
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