A CRACKDOWN on fine dodgers is recovering more than $9m a month on average in overdue fines in Australia.
Most of the unpaid fines are for traffic related offences such as speeding, using a mobile phone while driving or running a red light.
RAA motoring road rules expert Graeme O’Dea said motorists should act promptly when they receive a fine to avoid any additional penalties.
“An expiation notice normally provides a minimum of 28 days for payment, so that leaves plenty of time to get things in order,” Mr O’Dea said.
“For example, if you were not driving the vehicle at the time of the offence, you can use this time to make a statutory declaration outlining who the driver was.”
There can also be instances of extenuating circumstances, like not receiving mail or being away from home for a long period of time.
“This normally happens when a person has not changed their contact details with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles as required,” Mr O’Dea said.
“While the fines may continue to grow, once the person is located they can apply to a court to try and have the matter returned to its original status.”
The Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit encourages motorists who have a genuine problem paying the lump sum to contact them and arrange a repayment plan to avoid further penalties and sanctions.
Since the unit was established in February 2014, there has been a 30pc rise in those choosing to make a payment arrangement.
And while those who do not engage face tougher penalties – including forced community service, having money deducted from their wages and even having their car seized – some people are still not deterred.
According to the unit, 10 per cent of all fine dodgers have amassed a collective bill of around $132.4m for unpaid traffic fines, with each of those individuals collecting a minimum of 20 traffic fines alone.
