Starting December 10, 2025, Australia will introduce new traffic camera rules to monitor mobile phone use, seatbelt violations, and more. Stricter penalties and fines will follow for risky drivers.
A Push for Better Road Safety
The decision to revamp the traffic camera system comes amid growing concerns over road safety in Australia. While the existing system has done its part in addressing speed-related offences and red-light running, certain behaviours—such as using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt—have remained difficult to monitor effectively. The new rules are designed to address these gaps and create a more consistent enforcement system across the country, where drivers, regardless of where they are, will face similar consequences for the same offences.
The expansion of camera detection aims to make roads safer by catching dangerous driving habits before they lead to accidents. With a better, more comprehensive enforcement system, authorities hope to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities caused by distractions, speeding, and other preventable behaviours.
What’s Changing?
The most significant change is the introduction of traffic cameras that will detect a broader range of offences. The new system will automatically identify drivers using their mobile phones, whether they are holding them or simply making them visible. Seatbelt violations, which are often overlooked, will also be monitored more closely, with cameras detecting both drivers and passengers not wearing them. The system will also catch distracted driving, where drivers aren’t paying attention to the road, even if they’re not speeding.
Speeding, already closely monitored, will now come under more scrutiny. Minor speeding offences, even those that go slightly over the limit, will result in fines and demerit points. In addition, dangerous driving behaviours in areas with active traffic cameras will be flagged, ensuring a more accurate picture of how drivers behave on the roads.
How Will Penalties and Fines Be Affected?
With the new enforcement rules in place, penalties will be more severe for a broader range of offences. Drivers caught using their phones, whether holding them or just having them in view, will face substantial fines and demerit points. If you’re caught not wearing a seatbelt, whether as a driver or a passenger, expect a fine and points, with no exceptions. Even minor speeding violations will no longer go unnoticed. And if you’re found driving dangerously or distracted, penalties could be steep, with the possibility of license suspension or increased insurance premiums, explains Pmas.
The system is designed to leave less room for offenders to avoid detection, with penalties being more consistent across the board. It’s all about making people think twice before breaking the rules, knowing that cameras could catch them at any time.
How to Prepare for the Changes
With these updates on the horizon, it’s time for drivers to adapt their habits. Putting your phone out of reach while driving is a simple step that will help you avoid penalties for mobile phone use. Ensure that everyone in the car is wearing a seatbelt, as penalties will apply to both drivers and passengers. Stick to speed limits, even those seemingly insignificant moments when you’re a few kilometres over. And most importantly, stay focused on the road. Distracted driving will no longer be easy to get away with, so it’s crucial to remain alert.
