Dad fined $1,200 for 'critical' seatbelt mistake
At the start of last month, Queensland authorities increased driving fines to a record high, with the value of a penalty unit increasing by 4.2 per cent.
One Aussie dad found out the hard way this week after he copped a $1,209 fine when he was stopped by police during a traffic operation as part of the state's Road Safety Week and found that his two kids did not have their seatbelts fixed correctly.
They found the 5-year-old boy not properly secured in his booster seat, while a 6-year-old boy, who was seated in the right-side back seat, was found to have the middle seat belt wrapped around his neck.
The hefty fine also comes with 4 demerit points.
Queensland Police have warned their motorists about increased police vigilance on their roads.
"Failure to wear a seatbelt is one of the leading causes of road crash deaths. Unrestrained drivers and passengers are eight times more likely to be killed in a road crash," Acting Inspector Kylie Doyle said.
"If this driver had been in a crash, it would have likely resulted in significant, possibly life-threatening injuries for these children."
Following the state's move to increase the value of a penalty unit, drivers caught using their phone or not wearing a seatbelt properly will now pay a fine of over $1,200.
Drivers caught speeding more than 30km/h over the speed limit are also forced to pay over $1,200.
Based off the average salary in the state, this means that drivers caught for such infringements would be paying around 65 per cent of their weekly salary on the fine.
Authorities across the country have been cracking down on driver misbehaviour in attempt to reduce the number of road fatalities.
"It is critical we all play our part to be safer on Queensland roads," Acting Inspector Kylie Doyle warned motorists on Tuesday.
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