More than 1800 Qld drivers cop incorrect seatbelt double demerit penalties

The Transport Minister has apologised and called for an urgent inquiry after more than 1800 Queenslanders were slapped with incorrect double demerit points for carrying passengers not wearing their seatbelt correctly.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey has called for an urgent inquiry after more than 1800 Queenslanders were slapped with incorrect double demerit points for carrying passengers not wearing their seatbelt correctly, saying “it should never have happened”.

It has been reported the state government received legal advice going against part of its controversial mobile phone and seatbelt camera initiative launched in November 2021.

The issue is reportedly related to drivers being given double demerit points for having a passenger caught not wearing a second seatbelt twice in 12 months – with legal advice reportedly provided to the government saying they could not hand out double demerit points for that offence.

Gold Coast woman Margaret Bowen claims she was fined over this 'twist' in her seatbelt. Picture: supplied

Transport Minister Mark Bailey faced the media on Friday morning and confirmed that More than 1800 motorists have been incorrectly penalised, and 121 motorists have had their licenses suspended incorrectly.

Mr Bailey said Transport and Main Roads had commissioned an urgent review into the camera-detected offence program, and said “this should never have happened”.

“I am sorry to every person impacted by this,” he said.

“My department is receiving urgent legal advice on the swift reissuance of incorrectly suspended licences.”

Mr Bailey said for motorists who had retained their licence, but incorrectly lost points, TMR would reverse the points lost.

“All offences were correctly recorded and financial penalties have been correctly issued – the design fault is solely in the application of double demerit points in specific circumstances,” he said.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey says TMR has commissioned an urgent review into the camera-detected offence program Picture David Clark

Mr Bailey said the review would be complete in the coming months.

TMR Acting Director-general Sally Stannard said the department was contacting impacted customers.

“The current status of your licence remains in place until the department works with you to review individual circumstances,” she said.

“We have also established a dedicated phone number for customers who are concerned this may impact them and details are available on the department’s website.”

But the LNP seized on the revelation, with Deputy Leader Jarrod Bleijie saying: “this is Mark Bailey again. It’s another stuff up again.”

“This will cost Queenslanders again,” he said.

“And Mark Bailey won’t be held to account by this chaotic checked-out Labor Government, again.

“Hundreds of Queenslanders have learnt first-hand what happens when a Government is in a constant state of chaos and crisis, you pay a high price.”

Mr Bailey has recently faced weeks of negative headlines over his role in the $2.4bn train manufacturing blowout and subsequent cover-up.