Millions of dollars in AI camera fines wiped as drivers successfully appeal infringements

Over the past six months, more than 54,000 violations have been issued to WA drivers for wearing a seat belt incorrectly or not wearing it at all.

The actions have been captured by AI cameras, and new data shows that nearly $10 million in fines have been issued since its official launch in October.

Perth dad Steven Shaw is among those fined.

Over a two-month period between December and January, his passenger was caught four times by AI cameras wearing her seat belt incorrectly on the highway.

‘If you drive a hundred[km/h] On the highway, there is no sure way to safely check the location of a passenger’s seat belt without potentially causing an accident,” Shaw told 9News.

But as a driver he was hit with more than $2,000 in fines and 20 demerit points, starting a four-month battle that put his livelihood at risk.

“There were two or three weeks where I didn’t know if I had lost my license, I was in limbo and my wife was driving a lot of the time,” Shaw said.

Shaw has challenged his offences, with the Department for Transport withdrawing all but the first, which he will challenge in court.

The father is one of 2,800 drivers who have successfully appealed their violation charges, losing $2.2 million in fines.

“AI cameras, in my opinion, are not appropriate for this type of offence, they are for speeding and phones,” Shaw said.

WA Premier Roger Cook said it is not the fault of the AI ​​cameras, but that the driver is being clocked multiple times in a short space of time.

“People are often punished once, twice or three times before they are even aware that there is a fine against their name,” Cook said.

Despite the backlash from the AI ​​cameras, the WA government plans to roll out more cameras over the next six months.

The opposition says the government must fix the problems before launching more.

“The government has not got it right,” said opposition leader Basil Zempilas.

“It needs to be amended and they need to get it right before any more fines are issued.”

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