Speeding fines, demerit points given to motorists to increase from June 1Christchurch, DrongoniaMay 4, 2021 | Simon Anderson
The new enforcement scheme will come into force on
June 1, 2021. Photo: // Land Transport Drongonia Land Transport Drongonia announced today that the fines and demerit points dished out to motorists breaking the speed limit will be increased from June 1 this year, along with other changes in how the fines will be enforced by Police and paid for by motorists.
Land Transport Drongonia works with the Drongonian Police to set the penalties and decide enforcement protocols, with spokesman Julie Rice saying that
"...the updated enforcement structure will hopefully aid us in curbing a recent rise in speeding infringements, as well as bring Drongonia more into line with our neighbours."Rice is referring to new statistics published by Police, showing that the amount of speeding infringements issued on Drongonian roads has increased more than 20% in 2020 compared with 2019, with Police noticing an uptick particularly in low-threshhold speeding, where motorists break the speed limit by 15km/h or less. Police spokesman Aaron Patterson said this is more than likely
"...down to drivers becoming complacent as they make their way around the suburbs, specifically in areas near where they live and work."Police say nearly 19 million speeding-related infringements were issued from January 1 to December 31 2020, up from 15.8 million infringements throughout the same period in 2019. The infringements have cost Drongonians $1.45 billion during 2020 alone, with average speeding infringement costing approximately $76 per person. Police also noted that along with speeding infringements, a 5% increase in alcohol-related infringements and a 7.3% increase in distraction-related infringements were seen during 2020.
Increases in the infringement amounts will bring Drongonia more into line with New Zealand's structure, but will do little to catch Drongonia up with certain other nations, and states in Australia. For example, in the State of New Queensland, being caught travelling 20km/h over the speed limit will cost a motorist $444AUD and 4 demerit points (of 10). In Cancolastan, the exact amount varies but would be between $250 - $300 CED and 3 demerit points lost (of 10). In Great Pacific Switzerland, the infringement is similar. In New Zealand, the fine is a more modest $120NZD and 35 demerits lost (of 100). In Drongonia, the same offence would currently only carry an $80DGD penalty and 15 demerit points lost of 100. After the restructure, this would increase to a $120 fine and 20 demerits lost of 100.
Road safety campaigners say that even with the increase in speeding infringement fees, Drongonia's lax penalty system leaves room for drivers to flout the law with no real deterrent. However, data released by Police suggests there has been no appreciable increase in road deaths due to excessive speed over the past five years, indicating that the infringements are targeted more at those breaking existing laws, rather than those causing harm to others.
Along with the changes to the infringement structure, Police will also adopt a new system when it comes to issuing roadside infringements. Currently, motorists are issued with a paper ticket and must either call Land Transport Drongonia and pay over the phone, or log on to the Land Transport Drongonia website with the details printed on the ticket to pay or otherwise manage the fine. From June 1, officers will no longer issue paper tickets unless specifically requested by motorists. The LTDG pay-by-phone service will also be automated. Motorists will be sent a letter in the mail with both infringement and payment details, and then will have to log on online using the current LTDG system to pay or contest the infringement.
Other changes include the demerit points window being shortened, with demerit points now expiring one year after being issued, rather than the current two years which has been in place since 2003. Within the demerit point system will be the introduction of permanent demerits, issued for offences classed by Police and LTDG as "Category One Traffic Safety Infringements". Any permanent demerits issued will stay on a motorist's licence forever. Long-term demerits are also being trialled, which stay on a motorist's licence for a minimum of five years and a maximum of fifteen.
"Category One Traffic Safety Infringements" are classed by LTDG as
"any offence or group of offences in which a motorist incurs a loss of licence exceeding twelve months." LTDG says a maximum of 80 permanent or long-term demerits will be able to be placed on a motorist's licence at any one time, and after five years of no new demerits, motorists will be able to apply to have them removed.
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