About 2,000 AI Road Safety Camera Fines Withdrawn in WA

By Cason Ho

By Courtney Withers

Topic: AI

About 2,000 seatbelt fines from AI cameras have been withdrawn.

In short:

Fines worth $1.1 million have been withdrawn. The AI cameras were introduced six months ago.

WA's Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby says the number of withdrawn fines is small.

What's next?

The government wants to use more AI cameras.

Over $1 million in fines from AI cameras have been withdrawn in six months.

The AI cameras have caused problems for many drivers in WA.

Most Australian states now use AI cameras to catch drivers who break the law.

Over 53,000 seatbelt fines have been given in WA in six months.

About 2,000 of these fines have been withdrawn, which is $1.1 million.

'Stress-inducing' appeals process

A disability support worker got four fines for her client not wearing a seatbelt.

The worker said the appeals process was long and stressful.

The worker said the appeals process was taxing.

The worker had to wait over eight weeks for the result of her appeal.

The worker was facing $2,200 in fines and 16 demerit points.

The worker had three of her fines withdrawn.

The worker's client's parents paid the first fine.

The worker is still stressed from the experience.

The worker says the experience has affected her job.

The worker says the experience has affected her mentally and financially.

The worker says she is less willing to work with disability clients now.

The worker thinks seatbelt fines for passengers should be reviewed.

'A good system': minister

Mr Whitby says the number of withdrawn fines shows the system is working.

Less than 4% of seatbelt fines have been withdrawn.

Mr Whitby says the system is working well.

The government has waived some fines for people who were not aware of the cameras.

60% of appeals have been successful.

The cameras can see into cars and catch people breaking the law.

'Outrageous mess'

A grandfather in Perth is against the AI cameras.

The grandfather says the minister is just trying to defend the system.

The cameras have been installed on Perth's freeways.

The grandfather thinks the fines for passengers should be different.

The government could have given warnings instead of fines.

But that would have meant less money for the government.

More cameras planned

Mr Whitby says the cameras are preventing deadly accidents.

The law says drivers are responsible for their passengers' safety.

Many people are upset about being fined for their passengers' mistakes.

The cameras have changed people's behavior and saved lives.

The government wants to install more cameras, but carefully.

The WA Opposition Leader says the government should have tested the cameras more.

He says many drivers are being treated unfairly.

He wants the fines to be fair and match the crime.

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