WA motorists have AI-generated fines overturnedThousands of fines from controversial new cameras has been refunded to Aussie drivers.David McCowen@davemccowenless than 2 min readApril 22, 2026 - 5:04AMMotoringAussie drivers ripped off by bad calls from AI-powered seatbelt detection cameras have overturned more than $1 million in fines.Controversial cameras designed police the correct use of seatbelts in Western Australia have issued an average of 300 fines per day.A report by the West Australian found that thousands of drivers have appealed fines issued by the system, and that around 60 per cent of them had fines overturned.MORE: Australia’s huge backflip on electric vehiclesSeatbelt offences captured by camera. In just three weeks, seatbelt cameras have picked up more offences than the total number of fines handed out for seatbelts in 2023 (10,089). Picture: Supplied by NSW GovernmentIt translates to more than $1 million in fines refunded by the state government.WA Road Safety Mini Reece Whitby told ABC radio that more than 50,000 people have been busted doing the wrong thing by cameras that peer into cars from an elevated position, and that less than 4 per cent of offences have been overturned. “These new safety cameras have actually changed behaviour, and I have no doubt they’ve actually saved lives,” he told ABC radio.“We’re looking at rolling out more, but again, we want to take a very careful and staged approach.”MORE: Huge cost difference between EVs, combustion cars exposedMobile Camera trailer, to catch motorists on phonesMr Whitby said the cameras were detecting offences “at a scale not seen before”. Some of the fines waived went to people who received multiple infringements, and complained that they were not given time to change their behaviour before receiving subsequent penalties.Astor Legal principal criminal lawyer Avinash Singh told News Corp in March that his firm recorded growing number of drivers contesting AI-detected fines, particularly for alleged mobile phone use.MORE: ‘Crazy’ fuel-saving tech hits AusA mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera beside a fixed speed camera on the Gold Coast Highway in Southport. Picture: Keith Woods.“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.“Some examples from recent cases we have acted in include wallets, glasses cases and battery packs.”Mr Singh said that while transport authorities maintain that humans check all images before fines are issued, drivers still have the right to challenge penalties they believe are incorrect.Join the conversationAdd your comment to this storyTo join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? RegisterJoin the conversation, you are commenting as LogoutMore related storiesMotoringElon Musk’s ‘shady’ new deal exposedThe world’s richest man Elon Musk is going to some extraordinary lengths to ensure things stay that way.Read moreMotoring‘Edge case’: Self-driving car’s horror failAustralia is meant to be on the cusp of having self-driving cars roaming our streets but they might still be a way off judging by the latest traffic horror story.Read moreMotoring News‘Green nightmare’: Aus icon’s 95pc sales fallOnce a household name, this major car brand’s ‘green dream’ has turned into a nightmare via a 95 per cent sales slump. But they say they are here to fight another day.Read more