Qld mum’s shock after being fined $1161 for seatbelt wear

The state government has responded to backlash over a massive fine issued to a Gold Coast mother who said her chest caused a ‘twist’ in her seatbelt.

The state has refused to withdraw a massive fine issued to a Gold Coast mother who said her chest caused a ‘twist’ in her seatbelt.

Pimpama’s Margaret Bowen received the fine after a seatbelt camera snapped a photo of her while she was a passenger in a car travelling on Brisbane Rd, Bundamba.

The $1161 infringement notice stated her alleged “offence” was for not wearing a seatbelt properly adjusted or fastened.

The Bulletin understands the matter was reviewed and a decision was made to not withdraw the fine.

Can you spot the problem? This is the alleged 'twist' in Margaret Bowen's seatbelt. Picture: supplied

A Queensland Revenue Office (QRO) spokesman said he was unable to comment on individual cases.

“A person who is wearing a properly adjusted and fastened seatbelt would not be issued an infringement,” he said.

“Also, a twist in a seatbelt that is otherwise worn correctly would not result in an infringement being issued.”

The fine Margaret Bowen received in the mail. Picture: supplied

Ms Bowen said she was wearing her seatbelt correctly.

“I had the belt on properly over the shoulder, across the chest and buckled in,” she told the Bulletin earlier this week.

“I always (encourage) passengers to belt up as my daughter was in a serious accident a few months ago and the belt saved her.”

The QRO spokesman said images captured by seatbelt cameras were filtered by artificial intelligence software which detected if there was possible failure to correctly wear a seatbelt.

“If a possible offence is detected, the images are reviewed by an authorised officer within QRO to determine whether to issue an infringement,” he said.

“Multiple high-resolution images are captured and used during the adjudication process before an infringement is issued. The recipient of an infringement can view all of these images online.”

Ms Bowen received overwhelming community support when she shared her plight on a Facebook community group.

“This is bureaucracy gone mad. Contest it,” one man wrote.

“Jeez, imagine the boobs getting in a way of a fine,” a woman commented.

“Wow, what a joke,” another man added.

Qld camera fines: How they work and the bizarre appeals behind fines

Originally published as Qld mum’s shock after being fined $1161 for seatbelt wear