I Got a Fine for Not Wearing a Seatbelt

newbiesh on 18/04/2020 - 16:24
Last edited 18/04/2020 - 16:51 by 1 other user

I got pulled over in Westfield parking while trying to park and got a fine for not having a seat belt on! $400 and 3 points.

It was first time getting pulled over and getting fine on spot specially for such a dumb mistake TBH. As salty as I am ATM I spoke to few friends some say depending on officer they usually give warning for first time, is that true?

I was just trying to find a parking spot, it just hurt to pay $400 for a seatbelt and 3 points. Considering that I just lost my job as well :(
I took the ticket without arguing much and don't feel like disputing as would be a waste of a time but just curious to hear from you guys :(

Thanks

Automotive

closed Comments

  • bobbified on 18/04/2020 - 16:38
    +73

    …i spoke to few friends some say depending on officer they usually give warning for first time, is that true?

    Nope. Pay the fine.

    ..considering that i just lost my job as well..

    You lost your job, not your seatbelt. What happened to all the savings that you could have used to buy 11 cars? A $400 ticket wouldn't even make a dint!

    • MrPariah on 19/04/2020 - 10:28

      Bro you absolutely schooled him, idk what's more hard hitting the iso or your reply. Bruh settle down before you get done for online murder goodness me

  • Hithere on 18/04/2020 - 16:40

    Do the crime pay the fine.

    It's up to the police if they warn you or not but for not wearing a seat belt, which is a safety issue, it's a fine just every time.

    • RocketSwitch on 19/04/2020 - 10:16

      Because it was such an evil act, wasn't it?

    • whooah1979 on 19/04/2020 - 10:23

      Not a crime.

      • Bren20 on 19/04/2020 - 12:26
        +1

        Also no time

  • zonra on 18/04/2020 - 16:41

    got a fine for not having a seat belt on! 400$ and 3 points.

    Did you have seat belt on and were you driving?

    depending on officer

    You said it.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 16:43
    +19

    Serious question, why were you driving without a seat belt on?

      • Euphemistic on 18/04/2020 - 17:35
        +35

        So you took your seatbelt off to park? Who does that?

          • Euphemistic on 18/04/2020 - 17:43
            +15

            @newbiesh: More like shouldn’t have ever done it in the first place. It shouldn’t take a $400 lesson to learn stuff like this.

            • Lord Fart Bucket on 19/04/2020 - 08:04
              +7

              @Euphemistic:

              More like shouldn’t have ever done it in the first place.

              Depending on where you are…

              (2) The driver must wear the seatbelt properly adjusted and fastened unless the driver is—
              (a) reversing the vehicle

              NSW Road Rules 2014.

              • deepblonde on 19/04/2020 - 08:48

                @Lord Fart Bucket: ^ good point; there are exceptions

              • Whisper Quiet on 19/04/2020 - 09:20

                @Lord Fart Bucket: Yeah always been a grey area to do it when reverse parallel parking. Only time you can get away with it… Maybe

              • WaterMark on 19/04/2020 - 12:35

                @Lord Fart Bucket:

                OP: I was just trying to find a parking spot

                Sounds more like driving around Westfield carpark without seatbelt on looking for a spot. NOT in the process of reversing.

            • RocketSwitch on 19/04/2020 - 10:17

              @Euphemistic: Sometimes it does, better to give a warning if first offence, to educate people rather than smashing them into the ground. Achieves nothing.

          • Hybroid on 18/04/2020 - 22:42
            +5

            @newbiesh:

            i always been doing that tbh well guess cant do it anymore

            Sounds like the fine penalty system works then. It's designed to ensure we are accountable for and don't repeat mistakes. System works if you acknowledge will no longer do it again.

          • berry580 on 18/04/2020 - 23:03
            +3

            @newbiesh: Try do your Ls again.

          • Boioioioi on 19/04/2020 - 09:42

            @newbiesh: Not the smartest. Accidents happen in carparks too. Someone else could hit you and if you aren't wearing your seatbelt then out the windscreen you go

          • SlickMick on 19/04/2020 - 12:32

            @newbiesh: I always thought you didn't need a seatbelt on private property, and in car parks in particular. I thought A lot of people took their seatbelt off to reverse. All these false thoughts I've been living with I guess.
            Modern cars are too annoying to not wear a seltbelt.

        • lonewolf on 19/04/2020 - 10:00

          Actually I have seen some people especially older people do this when they are about to reverse into a spot as it lets them look around much easier and turn their bodies etc. Usually its people of the older generation who grew up without reverse sensors and cameras etc.

          • Mark1159 on 19/04/2020 - 12:17

            @lonewolf: I’ve got sensors/reverse camera and still turn around

        • realaaa on 19/04/2020 - 10:27

          I also do it sometimes, as it is much easier for me to pull back the car, without seatbelt

          as that way I am not constrained and can really turn around fully to have better visibility while going backwards

          so yeah, that fine is typical example of nonsense, of course it is legally warranted, but circumstances need to be considered, as well as common sense

      • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 17:56
        +3

        I got that from your post however it doesn't explain why you would release your seat belt so as to manoeuvre your vehicle

        going forward :(

        into a parking space ??

        You have to turn the steering wheel when turning left or right into a street so why is the seat belt an impediment when parking?

      • andyhui01 on 19/04/2020 - 00:01
        +1

        You need to be more detailed. If you took it off to reverse the car into a spot, that is legal. But if you were not in the process of reversing a car into the parking spot, then the police officer ticketed you correctly

    • Scantu on 18/04/2020 - 17:41
      +5

      in a parking lot… hardly a big moral offence

      • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 18:21

        It's a traffic offence

      • Harold Halfprice on 19/04/2020 - 00:51
        +8

        I know right… wtf is with people here?

        A seatbelt isn't going to make any difference in parking lot. People are acting as if taking your seatbelt off in a parking lot is endangering people's lives.

        I mean, my view is to cop op it on the chin and move on - but I don't disagree that $400 for no seatbelt in a parking lot is bullshit.

        • Yawhae on 19/04/2020 - 07:00
          +1

          It's also a good reason for fines to be on a sliding scale. In most cases it's either a warning or the maximum penalty.

        • RocketSwitch on 19/04/2020 - 10:19
          +2

          Yep, now you see the true nature of people in general. Full force on OzBargain as well. Not only do they put OP down, they belittle him to destroy his self-esteem.

          What an evil person OP is. Prick, how dare he not put on his seat belt in the parking lot? Idiots like him that make humanity disgusting.

        • Mark1159 on 19/04/2020 - 12:20

          Wrong
          Get slammed by stolen car etc, seat belt can reduce injury severity.

      • Mokr on 19/04/2020 - 09:49
        +1

        How would a cop know if the person just took their seat belt off in the parking lot or while driving

        A lot of people don't indicate when there are no cars

        But sometimes I am crossing the road and a car almost hits me because people have bad habits

        When you get tired or lazy People with bad habits will forget to indicate or use a seat belt and have the potential

  • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 16:43
    +5

    few friends some say depending on officer they usually give warning for first time

    How would the cop know that it was the first time? But yes, if you're pretty, you can get away with anything. So the question is , how pretty are your friends?

    • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 20:43
      +2

      Obviously get out of a fine pretty.

      • Vote for Pedro on 18/04/2020 - 21:06

        This is why i have cash ;-)

        Edit: have to have cash, to pay the fine

        • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 21:13

          Whats the going rate?

          • Vote for Pedro on 18/04/2020 - 22:51

            @[Deactivated]: I was poking fun at my lack of looks capable of getting out of a fine ;-)

            • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 23:36

              @Vote for Pedro: Someone wrote a thesis on how facial hair plays an important part in attracting a mate as it increases your perceived masculinity and pulchritude but failing that, it hides your facial flaws.

              • Vote for Pedro on 18/04/2020 - 23:38

                @[Deactivated]: I might have to grow a beard. A big bushy bear ;-)

                • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 23:43

                  @Vote for Pedro: I should add that ymmv. My missus finds my 80s porn star moustache exasperating rather than sexy. I find exasperating her sexy, so the 'tache is here to stay:D
                  My kids love it though because it tickles when I kiss them goodnight.

                • Indomietable on 19/04/2020 - 00:10
                  -1

                  @Vote for Pedro: Go with Hitler style moustache!

      • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 21:18

        So… a hard 5? 🤔
        com'on Op! Grow a moustache or something to get you there.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 21:27

          Definitely 5.

          Out of 13.

          Where 8 is the highest.

          • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 21:50

            @[Deactivated]: Obvs. A mere mortal can only ever hope to achieve an 8.

    • RocketSwitch on 19/04/2020 - 10:21

      Should be a system where it notes a warning, but since it's revenue raising, no system will exist. NO EXCUSE IN THE EYES OF THE MONE… I MEAN THE LAW!

  • kahn on 18/04/2020 - 16:45
    +5

    I wish I could fine you for your poor effort at capitalisation.

    • MS Paint on 18/04/2020 - 16:51

      That's the price you pay for turning autocorrect off.

  • Belv on 18/04/2020 - 16:46

    Where you driving around the car park or reversing into the spot? Even so, who takes there seat belt off to reverse ….

    • kerfuffle on 18/04/2020 - 16:57
      +7

      People who can't reverse without taking off their seat belt

      • whooah1979 on 18/04/2020 - 17:08

        below.

      • Ryanek on 18/04/2020 - 18:16
        +11

        It is actually legal to take off your seatbelt when going in reverse!

        • tamerg on 19/04/2020 - 10:13

          I thought this was allowed according to NSW Road rules (part 16):
          https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/2014/75… quoted previously by Martijn.

          264   Wearing of seatbelts by drivers 

          (2)  The driver must wear the seatbelt properly adjusted and fastened unless the driver is—

          (a)  reversing the vehicle, or

          (b)  exempt from wearing a seatbelt under rule 267.

          Happy to be corrected with evidence to the contrary.

          • kerfuffle on 19/04/2020 - 10:16

            @tamerg: It's allowed as pointed out by previous commenters. The OP however was not reversing into a spot in this instance and was driving forward in a carpark without a seatbelt on, looking for a parking spot.

    • whooah1979 on 18/04/2020 - 17:08

      I always take the seatbelt off when parking in reverse. Old habits die hard.

      • kerfuffle on 18/04/2020 - 17:15
        +4

        Why though? Seatbelts aren't like airplane seat belts, they do extend and retract …

        • whooah1979 on 18/04/2020 - 17:17

          Turning the head only was a pain in the neck while reversing about 100 times a day.

          • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 18:23
            +3

            @whooah1979: Are you a valet?

          • Not SkyNet on 19/04/2020 - 10:43

            @whooah1979: What do you do for to have to take it off all the time as this may be applicable to you at some times:

            As per one of the conditions of being exempt from wearing a seatbelt under rule 267.

            (2) A person in or on a motor vehicle is exempt from wearing a seatbelt if—
            (a) the person is engaged in the door-to-door delivery or collection of goods, or in the collection of waste or garbage, and is required to get in or out of the vehicle, or on or off the vehicle, at frequent intervals, and
            (b) the vehicle is not travelling over 25 kilometres per hour.

    • valour on 19/04/2020 - 00:21
      +2

      I sometimes release my belt to reverse park. I have limited movement in my neck so can't just turn around. I often use my rear vision mirror but sometimes you just have to look and that requires moving my whole body around.

      • RocketSwitch on 19/04/2020 - 10:22

        Evil person you are, pay $400 when you pass GO!

      • Not SkyNet on 19/04/2020 - 10:41

        Then you fine person are technically exempt IF you get a doctor to approve and sign off on it:

        As per one of the conditions of being exempt from wearing a seatbelt under rule 267.

        (3) A person is exempt from wearing a seatbelt if—
        (a) the person (or, for a passenger, the driver of the vehicle in or on which the person is a passenger) is carrying a certificate (other than a medical certificate issued under subrule (3A)), issued under another law of this jurisdiction, stating that the person is not required to wear a seatbelt, and
        (b) the person is complying with the conditions (if any) stated in the certificate.

        (3A) A person who is in, or on, a motor vehicle is exempt from wearing a seatbelt if—
        (a) the person (or, if the person is a passenger in or on a vehicle, the vehicle's driver) is carrying a medical certificate that states a medical practitioner believes the person should not wear a seatbelt because of a medical condition the person has, and
        (b) the person is complying with any conditions stated in the medical certificate, and
        (c) no other law of this jurisdiction states that this subrule does not apply.

  • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 16:47
    +12

    Somebody has to pay for all the "free" shit we are getting right now.

    So… thanks?

    • newbiesh on 18/04/2020 - 17:24
      +2

      i didnt get no free shit

      • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 17:37

        You got yourself a bargain.

        Think about it this way, you get to be reminded of the time when you're still a productive member of society, paying tax and shit.

        You pay but you don't get shit. The nostalgic value should be worth more.

        • newbiesh on 18/04/2020 - 17:41

          in that case, am gonna apply for centerlink now.

          • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 18:05

            @newbiesh: Don't forget to put on a seatbelt on the way there or you'll be taking another trip down memory lane.

      • ssquid on 18/04/2020 - 20:28

        You lost your job, you get free time.

  • holdenmg on 18/04/2020 - 16:47
    +1

    No seatbeat… What's stopping you?

  • Rukiata on 18/04/2020 - 16:49
    +1

    Why are you driving around parking with no seat belt in the first place?

    • newbiesh on 18/04/2020 - 17:24

      about to park

  • MS Paint on 18/04/2020 - 16:49

    We're you reversing or moving forward at the time you were caught?

    • newbiesh on 18/04/2020 - 17:24
      -5

      going into a park space

      • ssquid on 18/04/2020 - 20:29
        +6

        sideways?

      • spiff on 19/04/2020 - 00:21

        Why do you keep saying this as if it's a legitimate reason

        • Yawhae on 19/04/2020 - 07:03
          +1

          I believe there is a law that specifically states seat belts need not be worn if the drive is reversing. I'd have to look it up and for that I can not be bothered.

          Personally I don't remove my seatbelt to reverse but if it's legal I can see why people would.

          Edit: Here's the law from QLD
          https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current…

  • Melb69 on 18/04/2020 - 16:51

    Pay the fine and cop it on the chin as another lesson in life. Some of us have to learn the hard way. Of all the driving fines you probably cant get off this one. Its a fundamental safety item. Lucky you didn't have passengers in the rear without seatbelts as you could have had to pay for them as well. By the way are you a P plater.

    • newbiesh on 18/04/2020 - 17:25

      i got open

  • Godric on 18/04/2020 - 16:52

    You know what you were doing was wrong, now maybe you wont do it again ;/

  • whooah1979 on 18/04/2020 - 16:53
    +6

    I got pulled over in Westfield parking while trying to park and got a fine for not having a seat belt on!

    How did you park?

    Drivers in NSW are exempt from using a seatbelt while reversing.
    https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/2014/75…

    • kerfuffle on 18/04/2020 - 17:04

      Today I learned!

      OP appears to be from Queensland though

      • whooah1979 on 18/04/2020 - 17:06
        +3

        Same deal.
        https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current…

        The driver must wear the seatbelt properly adjusted and fastened unless the driver is—
        (a)reversing the vehicle; or

        • kerfuffle on 18/04/2020 - 17:08
          +1

          So then if the OP got fined, they were actually driving (forward) without a seatbelt on, or the cop didn't know the rules …

          • ATangk on 19/04/2020 - 10:49
            +1

            @kerfuffle: If you reverse, and make a poor judgement and need to drive forward again, do you need to put the seat belt back on? Legally, yes but I doubt a judge would side with the police if they tried to enforce this one.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/04/2020 - 17:12

      Why this exemption though?

      • Euphemistic on 18/04/2020 - 17:39
        +3

        THe exemption was probably put in place when we didn’t have retractable seatbelts, mirrors on the passenger side let alone reverse cameras and all the fruit we have now.

        Once upon a time it was common to turn around somewhat to reverse and spin so in a non retractable properly fitted seatbelt was difficult.

        • Mr Icarus on 18/04/2020 - 18:01

          I totally forgot about non retractable seat-belts!

        • ATangk on 19/04/2020 - 10:50

          With reversing cameras nowadays, I fear the day when some are asked to reverse without a camera…

      • Mr Icarus on 18/04/2020 - 17:59
        +2

        it's the same in some other countries, when learning i was told it was to allow people with reduces neck and back mobility to rotate their torso to allow safer manoeuvring / better view from the vehicle when reversing. ( anecdotally I've found some cars have very sensitive seat-belts that "lock" when you try to sit forward too quickly or rotate to look out the rear of the vehicle)
        I'm sure somebody will bring up using mirrors or a reversing camera instead negating the need to do this…

      • lunartemis on 19/04/2020 - 08:19
        +3

        I would have thought it is because 1 in 2 Australians are too overweight to turn without taking off their seatbelt

    • PissLUR on 18/04/2020 - 17:13
      +1

      WA is the same.

    • newbiesh on 18/04/2020 - 17:25

      going forward :(

      • kerfuffle on 18/04/2020 - 17:27

        Why did you need to take your seatbelt when driving forward into a parking spot? I don't know about your car, but if I drive faster than 5km/hr and I'm not wearing a seatbelt, my car starts making a warning noise

      • whooah1979 on 18/04/2020 - 17:27
        +11

        Ok.

        Pay the bill.

      • Vote for Pedro on 18/04/2020 - 21:12
        +1

        Hand in your licence

        • newbiesh on 18/04/2020 - 21:13

          my driving or gun?

  • Baysew on 18/04/2020 - 16:54
    +1

    It depends on what sort of friends you have. The ones you have seem to be making it worse for you.

    Police handing only one fine to you is a warning.

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