Woman goes viral after she rants about $745 fine for not wearing seatbelt 'correctly' in car passenger seat
QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA: After a traffic camera in Queensland identified a lady who was improperly wearing her seatbelt, the Queensland Police fined her an eye-watering 1,078 AUD (~$745) and four penalty points. Here's the rub, she wasn't even driving. Hailey Gillard, who was in the passenger seat, posted a video on TikTok to complain about the massive fine, delivering a warning to her 12k followers on the platform.
Hailey said, "If you’re having a bad day, at least it’s not as bad as mine. I just got fined $1,078 for wearing my seatbelt incorrectly, which my seatbelt was underneath my arm because I was a bit car sick. So I had to lean over and I got a $1000 (~$691) fine from the big policio. Ahh, life is good … might cry later." Many of her social media viewers responded to the video, with some even sharing similar experiences.
READ MORE
Arrogant driver breaks 10 rules in less than 90 seconds while dropping child off at school
One person wrote in the comment section, "You can try to dispute it. Not sure if they'll let you off but worth a try," to which Gillard replied, "I'm not sure if it’s worth it, I would have to go to court to dispute it...that’s ok lesson learnt." Another viewer added, "I got six demerits for the same thing, about $400 I think," to which Gillard said, "I totally understand the fine for not wearing my seatbelt correctly but I was in the passenger seat and $1,000 is a lot."
@haileygillard1 Laughing now but I’ll be crying tonight #australia #fyp ♬ original sound - HaileyGillard
Another user wrote, "Not sure why the fine is $1000 when usually it's around $400." "I drive like that all the time, I’m five foot, I can’t drive with the belt choking me all the time," another added. "My partner got the same fine while driving because I wasn’t wearing my seatbelt correctly but the photo showed me wearing it correctly," yet another user remarked.
@haileygillard1 Replying to @KJ totally understand the reason of the fine but god $1000 is a lot hahaha. Don’t do what I did 😂😭 #fyp ♬ original sound - HaileyGillard
Meanwhile, according to 9 News, in Queensland, the rules state, "Seatbelts must be worn with the belt over your shoulder, running across your chest and be buckled low on your hip. Wearing a seatbelt any other way will result in a fine." Gillard warned her followers of the hefty price they might have to pay if they are busted for the seemingly innocent error. She said, "It was a bit of a shock because I was in the passenger seat. As you can see in the photo, my mugshot photo, I still have my seatbelt on but because my arm was over it it’s still a fine. Be really careful on the roads, even if you’re wearing a seatbelt, wear it properly because don’t do what I did and get a $1000 fine."