Queensland will introduce tougher penalties for driving offenses starting next month.
The state government is urging all motorists on Queensland’s roads to heed their safety message, after tens of thousands of people were trapped without their seat belts.
Nearly 30,000 people broke without seat belts or wore them incorrectly in just six months to May this year, accumulating nearly $ 12 million in fines.
Queensland will introduce tougher penalties for driving offenses starting next month. (9 News)
Of those captured, some were seen with babies on their lap, children with seat belts on their heads and a man driving with his seat belt fastened next to the passenger.
Effective July 1, fines for wearing a seat belt incorrectly will increase to more than $ 1,000 and drivers will lose four demerit points.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the measure was a plea for drivers to take their safety more seriously.
“It’s a pretty simple thing, to put on your seat belt before you start the car,” he said.
“I think some people refuse to think about what happens to the human body when there is a sudden and violent shock.
When can the emergency stop lane be used?
“If you get off the road, a country road, no seat belt, and the car turns, you’re gone.”
Bailey said more people were caught without seat belts in the passenger seat than those who were driving.
Fines will still apply to those wearing seat belts, but they wear them incorrectly.
“We don’t apologize for being hard on seat belts,” Bailey said.
“On your stomach, over your shoulder, it’s the easiest way to stay safe if you have an accident,” said Andrew Mahon of the Department of Transportation and Highways.