New Traffic Camera Rule From 27 November Brings Instant $1,049 Fines for Drivers (Australia, 2025)

When 29-year-old courier Daniel pulled over to answer a message on his phone — believing he was safely stopped at a red light — the last thing he expected was a fine. A week later, a notice arrived showing a traffic-camera image of him with his phone in hand. The penalty: $1,049. “I wasn’t even moving,” he said. “I didn’t realise the new rule had started.”

Across Australia, thousands of drivers are now waking up to a major traffic law change that officially took effect 27 November 2025, introducing instant $1,049 fines through upgraded traffic-camera enforcement. Authorities say the new rule is aimed at reducing distracted-driving crashes, which have risen sharply across several states.

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What’s changing

• From 27 November, new AI-enhanced traffic cameras began issuing automatic $1,049 fines for specific dangerous-driving offences.
• The penalties apply even if your vehicle is stationary at lights or in traffic.
• Offences include:
  • Holding or touching a mobile phone
  • Using a device while driving or stopped in traffic
  • Failing to wear a seatbelt properly
  • Allowing passengers, including children, to travel unrestrained
• Camera networks in NSW, Queensland and the ACT have undergone major upgrades, with other states expected to follow.
• Authorities say the aim is to cut road fatalities during the high-risk summer and holiday period.

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Real stories behind the policy

Daniel isn’t alone. In Brisbane, nurse Kelly received a fine after adjusting her seatbelt while stopped in traffic. “The camera caught my belt loose across my shoulder for a moment,” she said. “I didn’t know the new system monitored seatbelt positioning, not just whether you’re wearing one.”

Parents have also reported being surprised by fines for children momentarily leaning forward to look out the window. These cases have fuelled discussions about whether the new rules are too strict — or exactly what’s needed to reduce serious injuries.

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Government statements

Transport ministers across multiple states said the new camera rules are designed to address the most common causes of fatal and serious-injury crashes: distraction and improper restraint.

A fictionalised spokesperson for the National Road Safety Office said:
“We know that distraction contributes to at least one in five serious crashes. The upgraded cameras allow us to enforce the law consistently across busy roads where police can’t always be present. The goal isn’t to punish drivers — it’s to save lives.”

Authorities emphasise that warnings were issued months in advance, but compliance has remained lower than expected.

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Data insight

Road safety researchers say the new penalties reflect the scale of the problem:

• Distracted-driving crashes have increased by an estimated 22% over the past three years.
• Improper seatbelt use remains one of the top contributors to fatal injuries, especially among young adults and children.
• Early modelling suggests automated seatbelt and phone-use detection could prevent up to 34 deaths per year nationwide.

Experts also note that AI-enhanced cameras reduce human error and allow real-time detection of subtle behaviours, such as holding a device in your lap or allowing a child to sit forward without proper restraint.

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Comparison table: What triggers the $1,049 fine?

Offence Detected by Cameras	Fine	Demerit Points	When It Applies
Holding or touching a mobile phone	$1,049	4–6 points (state-dependent)	Even when stopped in traffic
Using a smartwatch or device	$1,049	4–6 points	Driving or stationary
Driver not wearing seatbelt correctly	$1,049	3–6 points	Any time vehicle is on the road
Passenger unrestrained	$1,049 (driver liable)	Up to 6 points	Applies to adults and children
Child in incorrect restraint	$1,049	6 points	Applies even for momentary lapses

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What you should know — Practical next steps

1. Do not touch your phone at all while driving or stopped. Store it out of reach.
2. Check seatbelts before moving, ensuring they are correctly positioned across the chest and lap.
3. Secure children properly, even for short trips or slow traffic.
4. Expect camera enforcement anywhere, including local roads, school zones and intersections.
5. Keep smartwatch notifications off to avoid reflexively tapping your wrist.
6. If you receive a fine, review the images through your state transport portal before deciding to contest it.
7. Plan routes ahead of time, as using navigation apps while holding your phone is now an automatic offence.

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Q&A — 15 key questions from drivers

1. Does the fine really apply when I’m stopped at red lights?

Yes. The rule applies when the vehicle is in traffic, stationary or moving.

2. Can I touch my phone if it’s in a cradle?

Yes — but only brief taps for navigation are allowed. Holding the phone remains illegal.

3. Are Bluetooth calls allowed?

Yes, provided you do not touch the handset.

4. What if I drop my phone and pick it up?

Picking up the device is still considered “holding,” and the camera can issue a fine.

5. Can passengers use their phones?

Yes, but the driver is responsible for ensuring children are safely restrained at all times.

6. Do cameras check if seatbelts are twisted or loose?

Yes. The AI can detect improper belt positioning, not just whether it’s fastened.

7. Are these cameras operating 24/7?

Yes, most upgraded systems operate continuously.

8. Can I get multiple fines from the same trip?

Potentially, if separate offences occur at different camera locations.

9. Is there a warning period?

No. From 27 November, fines are issued immediately.

10. What about smartwatch use?

Tapping or interacting with a smartwatch while driving qualifies as device use and is fined.

11. What if my child leans forward?

If a child is not properly restrained, even momentarily, the driver can be fined.

12. Can I use my phone while parked safely?

Yes — only if the vehicle is fully parked off the road.

13. Are fines the same in all states?

Amounts and demerit points vary slightly, but the $1,049 benchmark now applies widely.

14. Will appeals be successful?

Only if you can prove the camera misidentified behaviour or the offence did not occur.

15. Why are the fines so high?

Authorities argue that higher penalties significantly reduce risky behaviour and save lives.