The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has passed new legislation that expands the detection capabilities of roadside surveillance cameras. Starting November 3, these cameras will begin identifying seatbelt offences, adding to their existing roles of catching speeding, mobile phone use, and registration breaches. This initiative, reported by Yahoo News Australia, marks another step in Australia’s broader strategy to improve road safety using automated enforcement.
Seatbelt Violations Now Under Camera Scrutiny
The new law, called the Road Transport (Safety and Traffic Management) Amendment Bill 2025, was unanimously approved by the ACT Legislative Assembly. Under this amendment, cameras will now be authorized to detect whether drivers and passengers are wearing seatbelts — and whether those seatbelts are worn correctly.
ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne emphasized that the law does not add new responsibilities but reinforces existing ones.
“[It] does not create a new road rule nor does it introduce any new penalties, it doesn’t create a new responsibility [for drivers] either,” she explained.
Authorities intend the expansion to serve as a public safety reminder, drawing on years of evidence showing the life-saving impact of proper seatbelt use.
AI Cameras Will Detect Multiple Infractions at Once
One of the most notable features of this upgrade is the use of artificial intelligence. The new system can automatically detect multiple offences in a single instance. For example, a driver using a mobile phone without a seatbelt could receive two fines from one set of camera images.
“If multiple offences take place at the same time, for example, a mobile device and a seatbelt offence, both can be captured in one event and the images can be used to issue multiple infringements,” Ms Cheyne said.
“This is already a possibility through police enforcement.”
This technology mirrors what is already possible through manual police checks, but increases consistency and coverage through automation.
Launch Timeline and Public Awareness Campaign
To prepare for the rollout, camera testing and system updates are underway. Authorities plan to run a community education campaign in the lead-up to the law taking effect, aiming to inform drivers before enforcement begins.
There are also safeguards in place for medically exempt individuals. For example, passengers in rideshare vehicles with a valid seatbelt exemption will be allowed to submit documentation directly to Access Canberra, rather than through the driver. Additionally, an infringement review process and payment management options will be available for those issued with fines.
A Broader Move Toward Automated Enforcement
The ACT is not alone in this shift. Across Australia, jurisdictions such as New South Wales and Victoria are investing in smart camera systems capable of detecting multiple types of road violations.
Supporters of the technology argue that automated enforcement offers two key benefits: deterrence and accountability. Many of the behaviours now being targeted — such as improper seatbelt use — are difficult for police to observe in real time, especially in high-traffic conditions.
As more states adopt similar systems, Australia is steadily moving toward a road safety model where compliance is monitored digitally, and infractions are documented with high accuracy.
