Over the course of the 2018-19 financial year, seatbelt fines in the district have reduced significantly compared to the same 12 month period prior.

Between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019, $1348 worth of seatbelt related fines were issued in the Dubbo area. The fines were issued by the NSW Police Highway Patrol or the Roads and Maritime Services.

This is significantly less than what was issued in the same period before with 17 fines issued between July 1, 2017 and June 30 amounting to $5610 according to NSW Revenue.

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Western region traffic tactition Inspector Ben Macfarlane said they assume people are heading the message to do up their seatbelt.

The experienced Highway Patrol Inspector said there has been major dips in road fatalities in certain points since seatbelts were made mandatory in 1978.

"This is clear evidence seatbelts save lives," he said.

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Putting a seatbelt on should be habit by now, 31 years since the mandatory seatbelt law was introduced, but Inspector Macfarlane is still "baffled" as to why people wouldn't put their belt on when they get in the car.

"Why risk injury and donate money to government?" he said.

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Inspector Macfarlane said drivers and passengers should be aware anyone in the car who isn't wearing a seatbelt can be fined.

"Anyone of a licenceable age could get fined as well as the driver. So if the driver isn't wearing a seatbelt they get fined and lose points, if the passenger isn't wearing a seatbelt they get fined, the driver gets fined and loses points," he said.

Fines and point deductions start at $344 and three points and increase from that point.

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