6500 Aussies caught in AI traffic blunderAround 6500 Aussie drivers have been caught up in a shocking AI traffic blunder, leading for calls for millions in fines to be refunded.James Chung2 min readSeptember 9, 2026 - 3:24PMMotoringAustralia’s huge and controversial shift to AI traffic camera is again under a cloud after another legal issue was discovered in the rollout of the devices.Australia’s capital is facing a major traffic camera blunder after it was discovered the ACT Government failed to update a legal document to allow AI cameras to detect drivers not wearing seatbelts.The cameras, operated by Access Canberra, have been used since November 2025 to detect a range of traffic offences, including mobile phone use and seatbelt violations.But a legal document authorising their use was never updated to specifically include seatbelt offences, putting about 13,000 fines issued to Canberra drivers in the spotlight.The cameras used to spot phone drivers can now detect seatbelt violations.MORE: Next car giant slashes jobs amid $3bn failAccess Canberra head Josh Rynehart told ABC Radio Canberra the oversight was discovered internally about two weeks ago.Others you may likenewsnews“The cameras are authorised for the use as a traffic offence control device,” he said.“It’s just that the disallowable instrument didn’t include the word ‘seatbelt’.”Failing to wear a seatbelt in Canberra carries a $641 fine and three demerit points. About 6500 motorists have already paid their fines or resolved their cases with Access Canberra.Rynehart said those infringements were considered settled, meaning drivers who have already paid won’t get their demerit points restored. However almost $4.2m in fines could be the subject of a refund.Access Canberra said it halted the issuing of seatbelt fines as soon as the problem was identified.Access Canberra confirmed the AI camera legislation failed to list seatbelt offences. Picture: Brendan RadkeThe cameras have since resumed issuing fines after the legal issue was fixed, while the ACT Legislative Assembly will consider retrospective legislation aimed at correcting the oversight and ensuring the affected penalties remain valid.The blunder has once again put AI-powered traffic cameras under the spotlight, with similar systems facing scrutiny in other parts of Australia.AI cameras have frequently mistaken everyday items like wallets for mobile phones. Picture: Brendan RadkeWestern Australia has faced complaints since its AI-driven cameras were introduced last year, with almost 6000 of about 81,000 fines overturned following reviews.In NSW, more than $100 million was collected from drivers through AI-assisted traffic enforcement cameras in 2024-25, with about 130,000 fines issued for mobile phone offences and more than 126,000 for seatbelt offences.A powerful roadside “smart camera” capable of detecting offences including mobile phone use and seatbelt violations has also been deployed on roads in Melbourne.MORE: ‘Flattered’: China’s dig over Porsche name warA powerful all-in-one roadside “smart camera” that can spot everything from phone use to seatbelt violations has appeared on this busy Melbourne road. Image: RedditThe huge surge in AI traffic detection cameras has caused a growing public concern about the accuracy of the technology.In a news.com.au poll published earlier this year, 89 per cent of 3,783 respondents said AI roadside cameras had gone too far, while just 11 per cent supported keeping them.Astor Legal principal criminal lawyer Avinash Singh has warned that AI cameras can be unreliable, particularly when detecting alleged mobile phone use.He said his firm had seen a growing number of drivers challenging AI-detected fines, with objects including wallets, glasses cases and battery packs allegedly mistaken for mobile phones.Australia’s capital is facing a major traffic camera blunder after it was discovered the ACT Government failed to update a legal document to allow AI cameras to detect drivers not wearing seatbelts.MORE: ‘Job apocalypse’: Aus cabbies face extinctionMore Coverage‘Very risky’: Worst time to be driving revealedJames ChungEV boom killing the Aussie economyJames Chung and James MacSmith“AI cameras are notoriously unreliable at detecting mobile phone use in particular. This is because the technology often mistakes other objects for mobile phone cameras,” he said.While transport authorities maintain that images are checked by humans before fines are issued, Mr Singh said drivers have the right to challenge penalties they believe are incorrect.“To challenge an AI-based detection, the fine first needs to be elected to court without being paid,” he said.Join the conversationAdd your comment to this storyTo join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? 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