Newly released data has shown a spike in seatbelt related offences during busy school holiday periods for drivers and passengers wearing their seatbelt incorrectly.
With double demerits coming into force from Thursday 17 April to Monday 21 April, Transport for NSW is reminding drivers to travel safely.
In 2025 there have already been 98 fatalities on New South Wales Roads and in 2024, 35 people died on New South Wales roads while not wearing an available seatbelt.
This data has shone a light on a concerning trend over periods which should be joyous times for people to travel safely and spend times with their loved ones.
Over the peak summer holidays period, from December 24th 2024 to January 5th 2025, 7000 seatbelt offences were recorded across the state, with Christmas Day seeing one in every 559 drivers issued a penalty notice for a seatbelt offence.
Similarly, over the Australia Day long weekend there were over 1300 seatbelt offences recorded.
With school holidays underway for families across New South Wales, and both Easter and ANZAC Day long weekends approaching, the State Government is urging drivers that seatbelts save lives, and are a legal requirement for all drivers and passengers across the state.
Seatbelt enforcement has been significantly increased over the years, with mobile phone cameras beginning to monitor seatbelt compliance in July 2024.
Since this program began over 105 million vehicles have been checked, with 87 per cent of all penalties issued for incorrect use of a seatbelt, which attracts a $410 fine and three demerit points, or six demerit points during double demerit periods including the upcoming long weekends.
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Every dollar raised by seatbelt cameras is invested directly back into road safety.
This long weekend New South Wales drivers are being called to ensure they play their part in making New South Wales roads safer and remember seat belts save lives, speeding kills, never text while driving, never drive when you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs and do not drive if you are fatigued.
Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Roads said road safety is what keeps me up at night and I won’t rest until we reduce the trauma on our roads.
“I am accountable for our state’s road toll but it is everyone’s responsibility to play their role,” she said.
“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.
“Motorists in New South Wales have had more than 50 years to get used to the concept of wearing a seatbelt. It’s been compulsory to do so in our state since 1971.”
Aitchison said 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.
“Seatbelts save lives. Sounds catchy but it can’t catch on quick enough. Last year, one person died every ten days on New South Wales roads when they weren’t wearing a seatbelt,” she said.
“There’s nothing worse than losing a life on our roads and if you can’t buckle up this double demerit period you’ll risk being issued six demerit points, nearly half a NSW unrestricted licence, and a $410 fine.”
For more information, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/
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