Drivers in an Australian state are now subject to a $1000 fine as new road safety cameras transition to an enforcement mode.

In a bid to reduce road traffic incidents and save lives, Western Australia has announced the implementation of new artificial intelligence-enabled safety cameras. The cameras, which will begin issuing fines from October 8, were activated in a trial mode across the Perth metropolitan area, Great Southern, and Mid West regions on January 26.

The cameras are aimed at enforcing seatbelt usage and mobile phone restrictions. Seatbelt offenses will result in fines ranging from $550 to $900, and demerit points from 4, depending on the number of unrestrained passengers. For instance, carrying four or more unrestrained passengers can result in a $900 fine. Passengers aged 16 or over found without a seatbelt face a $550 penalty.

The message from authorities is clear: wear a seatbelt properly and keep your phone out of reach. Fines for mobile phone use will range from $500 to $1,000, and demerit points from 3 to 4, depending on the severity of the offense. Sending texts, emails, or accessing social media while driving will incur a fine of $1,000 and 4 demerit points.

The revenue generated from the camera program is directed into the Road Trauma Trust Account, a fund dedicated to projects aimed at reducing deaths and injuries on WA roads. Over the past decade, about 20% of those killed on WA roads were not wearing a seatbelt, underscoring the importance of these measures.

The trial period allowed drivers time to adjust their behavior, but the cameras are now moving to enforcement. The move to enforcement marks a significant step forward in reducing trauma and saving lives on Western Australian roads, according to Police Minister Reece Whitby.

Since the introduction of the cameras, there has been a notable reduction in offences. Mobile phone detections from trailer-mounted cameras have fallen by 60 per cent, and fixed cameras have recorded a 33 per cent drop in offences.

With approximately 2.2 million licence holders across the state, the impact of these measures is expected to be substantial. During the trial period, more than 275,000 drivers received warning notices for offences such as illegal mobile phone use and seatbelt breaches.

Seatbelts have saved lives, but their effectiveness relies on proper use and correct wearing. The new safety cameras are a testament to the commitment of Western Australian authorities to prioritising road safety and ensuring a safer journey for all road users.