Cameras to enforce seatbelt law across NSW from July 1

WEARING a seatbelt will be enforced by existing mobile phone detection cameras from July 1 as the NSW Labor Government bolsters efforts to counter the rising number of road fatalities across the state.

The simple act of correctly wearing a seatbelt while in a moving vehicle has been a legal requirement in NSW for more than 50 years, but data shows 150 people died while not wearing one in the five years between 2019 and 2023.

On average, 15 per cent of deaths on NSW roads every year still involve seatbelt non-usage, with 36 people tragically lost last year.

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The enhancement of the state’s world-first mobile phone detection camera network will allow for a July 1 start date to the cameras also enforcing the seatbelt laws for the first time, the NSW Government confirms today.

Unlike when other new enforcement technologies have come into effect, there will be no grace period of warning letters after the NSW Parliament voted against starting seatbelt detection cameras in warning mode when enabling legislation was passed last year.

Photos released from testing of the cameras show a small but persistent percentage of drivers and some passengers continue to flout the law and wear their seatbelt incorrectly, including with the sash below the arm.

Every dollar raised by seatbelt cameras will go back into road safety.

Quotes attributable to State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin:

“The key here is personal, family and community safety. This is the best position from which to start.

“Our government wants to keep us safe. Our government has a duty to keep us safe. And at times that calls for some tough love.

“If drivers are failing in your obligation to keep yourself, your passengers and your fellow citizens, we shall slug you hard.

“I cannot believe that in 2024 some people are driving without putting their seatbelts on. They are putting themselves and everyone they come into contact with at risk.

“The message is clear; belt up, buckle up or pay the price.”

As of midnight Thursday 2 May 2024, 124 lives have been lost on NSW roads, which is 16 more than the same time last in 2023.

The NSW Labor Government has introduced a number of measures to counter the rising number of road fatalities, including:

• The demerit point trial to encourage motorists who maintain a spotless record over 12 months to have a demerit point removed from their record
• Hosting the state’s first Road Safety Forum of international and local experts
• Last month we signed the National Road Safety Data Sharing Agreement to help support analysis of driver behaviour, and help the various state and federal governments work together to understand where the funding needs to go
• Removing a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within six months
• Doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with the addition of 2700 new locations where a camera can be deployed. Enforcement hours will remain the same.

Today marks the start of National Road Safety Week, an annual initiative of the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, which aims to highlight the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it.

The theme for 2024 is All road safety is local – Drive So Others Survive. For more information on National Road Safety Week visit here.

For more New South Whales news, click here.

Trio charged following major operation – Riverina

Police have charged a number of people, following a major operation in the State’s Riverina, targeting illicit criminal activity.

Between Tuesday 12 March 2024 and Thursday 14 March 2024, officers from State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad, with assistance from Traffic and Highway Patrol, Southern Regional Enforcement Squad and officers attached to Riverina Police District, conducted an operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs and organised criminal networks.

Of note, about 11.30am on Wednesday 13 March 2024, officers attached to Riverina Police District with assistance from specialist officers executed a search warrant at a premises in Northcotte Parade, Mount Austin.

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Police arrested a 33-year-old male and 40-year-old female at the scene.

They were conveyed to Wagga Wagga Police Station and both charged with take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm.

The man was refused bail and woman granted conditional bail. They will appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday 5 May 2024.

During the search warrant, officers found a 55-year old male inside with injuries, who they will allege was detained against his will.

Other notable results include;

– 6 Firearm Prohibition compliance (FPO) searches in Patamba Street, Kooringal, French Place, Glenfield Park, Boree Avenue, Forest Hill, Adams Street Ashmont, Hayes Street North Wagga Wagga and Giraween Mews, Glenfield Park.

– 3 people arrested and charged for outstanding warrants.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Riverina with assistance from Raptor Highway Patrol issued 13 traffic infringement notices, detected 1 positive random drug test, and issued two defect notices.

Commander of Riverina Police District Superintendent Andrew Spliet said this week’s operation sends a strong message to people involved in criminal activity in the Riverina.

“This two-day operation has put a substantial dent in criminal activity in the Riverina Police District,” Superintendent Spliet said.

“This isn’t the first, nor will it be the last major compliance operation involving specialist police, including the Raptor Squad officers, to bolster the great work being done locally within the Police District to crack down on illegal activity in our communities.”

Commander of State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad, Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis said this deployment demonstrates the Command’s commitment to tackling regional crime.

“Residents in regional NSW can expect to see more of Raptor Squad as we continue to take on various deployments and operations.

“These deployments – as well as through our fully fledged Raptor North and Raptor South squads –means Raptor have far-reaching capabilities tackling crime across the state.”

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Fire and Rescue NSW recording Lithium-Ion battery fires at a rate of five a week NSW

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has expressed concerns about the rising rate of Lithium-Ion battery fires as crews responded to four separate incidents yesterday.

Nine fire trucks rushed to an address in Apprentice Drive at Berkeley, on the state’s Central Coast, just after 5pm yesterday when an electric vehicle charging station caught alight.

Crews established a defensive perimeter around the business, fearing multiple Lithium-Ion truck batteries were at risk of catching fire.

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Firefighters extinguished the blaze without further incident.

Around 4pm yesterday, a tradesman drove to the Tingira Heights Fire Station at Lake Macquarie, alerting firefighters that his toolbox was on fire.

The maintenance worker told the crew he was driving when he noticed a large amount of smoke in his rear vision mirror.

Lithium-Ion battery fires

When he stopped his ute and opened the large toolbox, he found an unattached battery for his hedger ablaze.

The man covered the flames in dirt and drove to the nearby fire station.

Firefighters opened the toolbox and observed the dirt bubbling as the battery had entered a process, known as ‘Thermal Runaway; whereby the cell was off-gassing and threatening to explode.

They submerged the battery in a container of water until the danger had passed.

In a third incident around 12.45pm yesterday, a fire broke out in the rear of a garbage truck travelling along Derby Street at Silverwater, in Sydney’s west.

The driver stopped the truck and tipped the burning rubbish onto the roadway.

FRNSW crews arrived and found one battery amongst around 150 Lithium-Ion cells had entered ‘Thermal Runaway’ and was on fire.

The battery was submerged in water, preventing a chain reaction, and the scene cleaned up.

In a fourth Lithium-Ion battery-related blaze, an e-bike caught fire on the third floor of a 10-storey apartment block at Bankstown, in Sydney’s south-west.

Residents were evacuated from the French Avenue address around 6.30am, as 25 firefighters and four trucks responded to the scene.

Sprinklers were activated and suppressed the flames.

The fire crews extinguished the fire and ventilated the building.

An occupant suffered a superficial burn when he tried to remove the burning e-bike.

FRNSW has recorded 63 Lithium-Ion battery fires to date in 2024, subject to review, at a rate of 5.7 blazes a week.

Seven people have been injured in the fires.

There were 272 Lithium-Ion battery-related fires in 2023, at a rate of 5.2 a week.

Thirty eight people were injured last year.

FRNSW is reinforcing its public messages to households and businesses to use extra caution around Lithium-Ion batteries and related devices.

It warns people:

• Never sleep or leave home with your Lithium-battery-powered devices charging
• Don’t leave them constantly on charge
• If Lithium batteries are damaged or compromised, dispose of them properly
• Don’t throw them out in the rubbish, they can start garbage truck or rubbish tip fires when compacted
• Contact your local, approved recycling centre for disposal advice
• Don’t leave devices charging on beds, sofas or around highly flammable materials
• Try to charge devices outside if possible
• Always buy reputable Lithium-battery brands and never ‘mix and match’ components
• Beware of cheap, substandard Lithium battery-powered devices
• Avoid dropping, crushing or piercing battery cells
• Store batteries and devices in a cool, dry area, away from combustible materials
• Install active smoke alarms in your home/garage
• Ensure you have a home evacuation plan in the event of fire
• Don’t store or charge Lithium-Ion-powered devices near exit points in your home or business.

For further information, visit the FRNSW website: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9392