AI-camera traffic fines withdrawn after drivers appeal

Authorities have withdrawn thousands of AI camera traffic tickets for seat belt misuse in the six months since the technology went live in the nation’s largest state.

More than 53,000 seatbelt violation tickets worth more than $29 million have been issued to Western Australian drivers since the controversial cameras went live in early October.

The Department of Transportation withdrew about 2050 of these, meaning nearly $1 million in fines have been waived.

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) behavior on our roads,” he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.

“We’re seeing crimes being detected on a scale we haven’t seen before because the cameras are actually looking into the (vehicle) cabin.

“That’s a good thing.”

Less than four percent of all seat belt tickets issued are withdrawn, he said.

“The vast majority of sentences are correct,” he said.

A total of 3,381 sentences were appealed and approximately 60 percent were annulled.

“This is a system that works,” Mr. Whitby said.

“If you feel you have been wronged and it is unfair, you will receive a fair punishment and will be taken into consideration.”

Artificial intelligence traffic cameras caused outrage in society; Some people were fined more than once on the same day for the same crime.

Mr Whitby said some penalties were waived when this occurred.

Other drivers whose passengers were recorded not wearing their seat belts or wearing them incorrectly were also fined.

“I have some sympathy for drivers, particularly those who have to look at the front of the window rather than the side to see what their passengers are doing,” Mr Whitby said.

He said the Road Safety Commissioner will review all violations made across the state, including AI traffic camera fines.

He said more AI traffic cameras would be rolled out in WA in a careful and considered manner.