Outrage as Queensland brings in increased fines for seatbelts and speeding

The Queensland government has set out significant increases on traffic fines within its ten-year strategy for road safety.

The Queensland government has significantly hiked up traffic fines in its new ten-year road safety strategy.

Under the plan, Queenslanders from July 1 will have to pay more for a range of traffic offences, including being caught without a seatbelt ($1087, up from $413), running a red light ($575, up from $413).

Speeding attracts different fines depending on how much the driver is going over the limit.

Traffic fines in Queensland are set for a significant rise. Picture: Claudia Baxter / AAP

Table of fine increases. Picture: Supplied

Mark Bailey, the minister for transport and main roads, said that the changes are consistent with the goals of the national road safety strategy.

“We’ve had a tragic start to the year, with 81 lives lost on Queensland roads already.

“Today we are reaffirming our commitment to zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2050 by cracking down on driver behaviour.”

He also revealed that in the first four months since mobile phone cameras were deployed last November, more than 33,800 infringements had been logged.

In addition, almost 14,000 people had been caught on seatbelt cameras deployed at the same time.

Queensland Minister for Transport Mark Bailey. Picture: Sarah Marshall / NCA Newswire

“We’ve been educating drivers on the importance of seatbelts for 50 years, but somehow the message didn’t get through to almost 14,000 people, so it’s time to get tough.”

In sum, these two new camera types generated around $40 million of revenue for the Queensland government in this time.

Mr Bailey said money collected from fines will be reinvested into road safety.

“This year alone, we have over $1.7 billion invested in road safety initiatives to prioritise road safety upgrades, improve driver education, make school zones safer and develop policies to reduce road crashes and trauma.”

News of the plan to dramatically increase driving fines divided opinion online.

“Big jump in fines unbelievable revenue raising at its finest,” one frustrated motorist wrote on Facebook.

“Lies. More lies.It looks like revenue raising to me,” agreed another.

One driver questioned why the government increased the fine for 1-10km over the speed limit by 56.8% and increased the penalty for 40km over the limit by just 28.5%.
“The increase has highlighted their motivation,” he wrote.

Others commended the Palaszczuk government for keeping dangerous drivers accountable.

“Sounds fair to me. The only ones who’ll be impacted by these increases are the ones who flout these rules,” wrote one woman.

“What is the matter with you people who rant on about ‘revenue raising’ or some such rubbish! Just drive within the speed limits and follow the road laws and it wont cost you a cent,” added another.

Originally published as Outrage as Queensland brings in increased fines for seatbelts and speeding