Authorities have withdrawn thousands of AI-camera traffic fines for seatbelt misuse in the six months since the technology went live in the nation’s largest state.
More than 53,000 seatbelt infringements worth more than $29 million have been issued to Western Australian drivers since the controversial cameras went live in early October.
The Department of Transport has withdrawn about 2,050 of those, meaning about $1 million in fines have been waived.
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WA Police and Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby said the cameras were saving lives and the system was working.
“These new safety cameras have actually changed (driver) behaviour … on our roads,” he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
“We’re seeing offences being picked up at a scale we’ve not seen before because the cameras actually look down into the (vehicle) cabin.
“That’s a good thing.”
Less than 4 per cent of all seatbelt fines issued had been withdrawn, he said.
“The vast majority of fines are accurate,” he said.
A total of 3,381 fines were appealed and about 60 per cent were cancelled.
More than $1 million in traffic fines have been waived in WA because they were caught by an AI-powered camera. Credit: Aaron Bunch/AAP The AI-traffic cameras have caused outrage, with some people copping multiple fines on the same day for the same offences. Credit: CarExpert “It’s a system that works,” Whitby said.
“If you do think you’ve been wronged and it’s unfair, you will get a fair crack and you will be considered.”
The AI-traffic cameras have caused outrage in the community, with some people copping multiple fines on the same day for the same offences.
Some fines were waived when this occurred, Whitby said.
Other drivers have been fined when their passengers were recorded not wearing a seatbelt or wearing it incorrectly.
“I have some sympathy, particularly with drivers who need to be looking out of the front of the window, not to the side to see what their passenger is doing,” Whitby said.
The Road Safety Commissioner would conduct a review of all infringements issued across the state, including AI-traffic camera fines, he said.
More AI-traffic cameras would be rolled out across WA in a careful and considered way, he said.