RACV says buckle up, as seatbelt fines raise serious concerns

RACV is urging all Victorians to wear their seatbelts every time they are in a vehicle, following alarming new figures that show more than 8,500 drivers were caught not wearing a seatbelt in the first quarter of the 2024-25 financial year, totalling over $3.3 million in fines.

Victorian Police data suggests that the state could be on track to record more seatbelt offenses than the 34,744 record in the last financial year.

Concerningly, 118 Victorians have lost their lives in 2025 (as at midnight 20 May 2025), up 8.3 per cent, and over the last five years, 130 lives have been lost in Victoria where the occupant was not wearing a seatbelt.

RACV Head of Policy James Williams said the figures were a stark reminder of the risks associated with ignoring seatbelt rules.

“Failing to wear a seatbelt is a simple, but deadly mistake,” Mr Williams said.

“Seatbelts save lives. Choosing not to wear one puts you, your passengers, and other road users at risk.”

In Victoria, the penalty for not wearing a seatbelt correctly is a $395 fine and three demerit points.

“Crashes can happen anytime, anywhere – and the consequences of not being restrained can be fatal.”

RACV is calling on all drivers and passengers to prioritise their safety every time they enter a vehicle by:

• Ensuring seatbelts are worn properly and by all occupants.
• Adjusting seatbelts to sit snugly across the chest and lap.
• Checking that children are using appropriate restraints for their age and size.

“Wearing a seatbelt is one of the simplest actions we can take to reduce road trauma. It takes just seconds to click in – and it could save your life,” Mr Williams said.

For more information on seatbelt safety, visit the RACV website.