Disturbing trend: 60,000 Australians get busted by cameras! Are you next?

As the modern world continues to evolve, so too does the technology we use to keep our roads safe. 

However, with the advent of new roadside cameras across Perth, a ‘disturbing trend’ has emerged that should have all Australian drivers sitting up and taking notice. 

In a recent crackdown, a staggering 60,000 drivers were caught out by these vigilant electronic eyes, showcasing a range of dangerous behaviours that put lives at risk every day. 

The images captured by these cameras are more than just statistics; they tell a story of complacency and recklessness that is all too common on Aussie roads. 

From a man nonchalantly driving while cradling a baby to another steering with a laptop perched in his hands, these scenes are a wake-up call to drivers everywhere. 

Since the cameras were activated on Australia Day, they have painted a worrying picture of our collective road habits.

The breakdown of offences is alarming: 20,000 drivers were not wearing seatbelts correctly, 22,000 were caught with phones in hand, and nearly 6,000 had no seatbelt on at all. An additional 12,000 were fined for having their phones on their laps. These aren’t just minor oversights; they’re serious infractions that can have fatal consequences.

WA’s Road Safety Commissioner, Adrian Warner, has expressed his dismay at the findings and urged drivers to take road safety seriously. 

‘Quite frankly, what we’re seeing has been truly disturbing and upsetting⁠—children and babies unrestrained in front seat, people bypassing seatbelt alarms by jerry-rigging the driver’s buckle, use of laptops while driving at high speeds,’ Warner stated. 

He implores drivers to ‘take ownership’ of road safety and remember that each individual behind the wheel is responsible for reducing the road toll.

The message is clear: driving safely isn’t just about avoiding fines or demerit points; it’s about protecting your life, the lives of your loved ones, and the safety of other road users. 

Those caught by the new cameras will initially receive a caution notice, a chance to amend their ways before the full force of the law comes down on them. 

With fines for mobile phone use reaching up to $1,000 and a loss of four demerit points in Western Australia, the stakes are high.

The Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia (RAC) has welcomed the introduction of these cameras, with general manager Will Golsby highlighting WA’s poor road safety record. ‘Last year was one of the worst for road deaths in a decade,’ Golsby noted, supporting the use of cameras to deter dangerous behaviour.

As we approach the Easter period, drivers should be especially vigilant. Double demerits will be in effect in New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory, while other states will see increased police patrols. Remember, last Easter, five lives were tragically lost on WA roads alone.

The Road Safety Commission, WA Police, and the Road Safety Minister are committed to changing driver behaviour through campaigns and initiatives like these cameras. 

But it’s up to the community to realise that they are part of the solution. It’s a collective effort to ensure that everyone arrives at their destinations safely.

So, before you get behind the wheel, ask yourself: Are you next? Will you be the next driver caught in a ‘disturbing trend’ that could cost you more than just money? It’s time to think again, drive responsibly, and make sure that you’re not part of the problem but part of the solution to safer roads for all Australians.

Also read: Are roadside cameras really catching you? One driver’s $410 fine says otherwise