Government declares war on the dodgers
Drivers with overdue traffic fines could have their licences suspended under a new law, which would also send people with overdue fines to prison.
The proposed law - the Courts and Criminal Matters Bill - introduces stiffer penalties for overdue fines.
It is before a parliamentary select
committee, and is likely to become law early this year.
It is a bid to recover huge amounts of money owed and devise ways of handling people without the means or intention of repaying debt.
The bill says that if people have not made arrangements to pay their outstanding traffic fines they will be sent a warning notice informing them they have 14 days to make payment.
If the fines are not paid, they will lose their licence until they pay or a time-payment arrangement is made.
The Justice Ministry's general manager of collections, Bryre Patchell said the ministry was serious about making people pay fines and reparation.
The courts can already order compulsory deductions from wages, benefits or bank accounts.
Possessions such as cars, boats and televisions can be seized, and overdue fines can stop people from travelling overseas.
"I'm very focused on making sure that fines remain a credible sanction in New Zealand," Mr Patchell said.
AA spokesman Simon Lambourne said the law was a good idea if it targeted offenders who owed huge amounts in unpaid fines.
"People's licences are essential for mobility, so the removal of them as a penalty should be reserved for repeat offenders and the worst offenders."
He said the AA would be examining the legislation in greater detail as it made its way through the system.
Labour Party courts spokesman Rick Barker supports the new law.
"The theory behind it is that having a licence and driving on the road is a privilege. If people do not behave and comply, then the privilege should be withdrawn."
He said the consequence of loss of licence for people who refused to pay their fines was fair and Labour would support the legislation.
The bill also provides for jailing people with overdue fines.
Under the proposed legislation, "unaffordable and unenforceable reparation orders" could be replaced by home detention and prison sentences.
The law would enable people with overdue fines to be brought back before the courts and sent to prison, at a judge's discretion.
Nearly $255 million was collected in the most recent financial year, up from $233 million two years ago.
- APN
