WA AI cameras: Doctors warn of dire consequences as cameras catch thousands not wearing seatbelts

Drivers and passengers who flout seatbelt rules are being warned the risk of death or injury is much worse than the increasing risk of getting caught and hit with double demerit points this Easter.

Road safety cameras that use artificial intelligence detected 36,262 seatbelt breaches and resulted in fines worth almost $20 million in February, sparking a backlash from drivers fined over their back seat indiscretions by passengers - including children.

Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner defended the technology and said regional holiday routes will be their priority during the long weekend.

“Nobody’s changed any laws, (but now) we’re enforcing at scale,” he said.

Police Minister Reece Whitby said the cameras are working.

“About 20% of all fatalities involve either the non-wearing of a seat belt or the incorrect wearing of a seat belt,” he said.

“Towards the end of last year, we have seen a 75% reduction in the incidence of seat belt offenses. So that’s an incredible number. Those are the safety cameras doing their work.”

A review is underway, that will consider rewarding good driver behaviour with probation instead of fines or demerit points for a first offence.

But any move to change penalties that fine drivers for their passengers’ seatbelt offences will take longer.

“Let’s be clear, we’re not doing a review of the AI cameras,” Mr Warner said.

“The focus of the review is two-fold, looking at the penalty regime more broadly and and doing what we can do in terms of creating more flexibility and fairness.

“Where it’s a simple matter of regulatory or policy change, we might be able we’re looking towards the end of this year, but most of the the changes that we think will be recommended as part of the review probably 2027 and on.”

Double demerit points start from 12AM Thursday, with 45 deaths so far this year already higher than the 5-year average for the same period.

Royal Perth Hospital trauma surgeon Dieter Weber issued a plea to everyone to avoid taking any risks on the road.

He’s bracing for a busy holiday period in the ED, but hoping he’s wrong.

“We’ve seen simply too many patients come through our doors, patients that arrive because of a momentary lapse of judgment, regret, whatever the reason, but then with lifetime consequences,” Dr Weber said.

“There’s just absolute horror stories, horrific events, obviously, people in tears when reality is starting to set in that someone else has died, or this is now the reality.

“We are at the bedside talking with the patients, how they’re going to now have to cope with having lost a limb, maybe not being able to walk again.

“The message is extremely clear from us, wear your seat belts.”