3 May 2010

Traffic fine defaulters could lose driver's licence

2:58 pm on 3 May 2010

People who default on traffic fines are to have their driver's licences suspended until they pay, under new measures introduced to Parliament.

The Ministry of Justice says the new measures will target serial fine defaulters.

According to Treasury figures, more than half a million people owed fines, totalling $790.2 million as of 2008.

One of the proposed amendments to the Courts and Criminal Matters Bill is to the Land Transport Act, allowing driver licence stop orders to be issued against fine defaulters.

Drivers with overdue fines will be sent a reminder to pay within 14 days.

Failure to do so could result in an order preventing them from driving.

People caught in breach of the order will have their vehicle impounded for 28 days.

The ministry says similar measures have been successful in Australia.

Thirty-four vehicles with outstanding fines totalling $77,000 were seized at the weekend in Waitakere City.