Although today is a pupil-free day for students around NSW, motorists need to slow down and be aware that school zones return to operation today, Monday, 21 July.

School zones will be active from 8am to 9:30am and 2:30pm to 4pm on school days. 

The NSW Government has released new data revealing that more than 183,000 school zone speeding offences were recorded in NSW during the last financial year.

Alarmingly, nearly 70 per cent (125,000+) of incidents occurred during active school zone hours – that's more than 340 drivers every day choosing to speed past schools and young children.

Since 2019, 106 pedestrians aged 5 to 16 years have been hit by vehicles in active school zones. Two children have been killed and 38 seriously injured.

The NSW Government has also released data that shows seatbelt non-compliance is working, with a 60 per cent drop in offences since camera enforcement and fines were introduced 12 months ago.

In that time, 140 million vehicles have been checked, with over 99 per cent of drivers and passengers doing the right thing.

However, camera images collected since its introduction have also revealed that some 88 per cent of fines related to incorrect seatbelt use, with nearly two-thirds of these fines issued to drivers whose passengers were not buckled up properly. 

Wearing a seatbelt correctly doubles the chances of surviving a crash and reduces the risk of serious injury, and the state government is calling on NSW drivers to follow the law and wear their seatbelts properly. 

In 2024, 34 people died on NSW roads while not wearing a seatbelt. So far this year, it’s another 11 lives. Over five years, 163 people have died not wearing a seatbelt, with 85 per cent of those deaths in regional NSW. 

While progress is being made, more than 200 fatalities have been recorded on NSW roads this year – that’s one person a day dying on NSW roads.

Motorists are reminded that proper seatbelt use means wearing the lap belt low and firm across the hips, with the sash crossing the chest and mid-shoulder, never under the arm.

Each offence attracts a $423 fine and three demerit points, or six during double demerit periods. Every dollar raised through seatbelt cameras is reinvested directly into road safety improvements.

These fines are completely avoidable if drivers and their passengers are doing the right thing.

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said, “The Minns Labor Government introduced seatbelt enforcement cameras in July 2024 to encourage all road users to buckle up correctly every time they get in a vehicle, and as Minister I am pleased to see such significant improvement in such a short timeframe. Over 140 million vehicles have been monitored since this program launched, with well over 99% of motorists demonstrating compliance.

“Some of the images collected are truly shocking, including multiple people in the same seatbelt or no seatbelt at all. 

“While the improvement in non-compliance is encouraging, we're witnessing far too many offences involving passengers wearing seatbelts incorrectly, with approximately 75,000 recorded offences over the past year.

"Whenever you enter a vehicle, correctly securing your seatbelt should be instinctive, whether you're driving or a passenger. Just like when you’re on an aeroplane, you need to have your seatbelt low and tight in the lap section. In the car, the sash should go from the top of your shoulder to your hip.

“Everyone needs to wear a seatbelt and if you have a genuine medical reason not to, you need a letter from your doctor.

“Seatbelts save lives and not wearing one is a gamble, not just for your own life but for every road user. It's essential that you not only wear your seatbelt but wear it correctly.”