Fines mean nothing to repeat offenders

The Automobile Association says fines are not stopping a hardcore group of bad drivers from reoffending because they soon reach a point where they know they can never pay them.

"For a group of the population the fine system doesn't work," AA motoring policy manager Jayne Gale said.

"And those are often the ones that you most want it to work for, unfortunately."

Figures released by Act MP Muriel Newman, supplied by Courts Minister Rick Barker, showed that at January 31 436,030 people owed up to $5000, 9673 owed more than $5000 and 58 owed more than $30,000.

Ms Gale said penalties and late fees made some of those fines build up quickly from relatively small beginnings.

"Once you've got a certain number of fines an additional one means nothing because you're not going to pay the first one so there's no penalty effect.

"And at a certain level they will get written off because it's clearly unaffordable."

She said the association raised its concerns with the Minister of Transport Safety Harry Duynhoven.

For frequent offenders, different penalties should be investigated well before fines built up to $30,000, Ms Gale said.

Options could include vehicle confiscation, licence suspension or even imprisonment.

- NZPA