KEY POINTS:
Serial fine-dodgers are in the Government's crosshairs as the level of unpaid fines hits more than $780 million.
In July over 500,000 New Zealanders owed $783.4 million, mostly from traffic offences, the Dominion Post reported.
A proposal before Cabinet has called for non-payers to have their licences suspended.
Judges already used community work to encourage payment or in place of a fine if the offender was unable to pay.
The law change, which could be introduced next year, was expected to result in another 13,000 fines, 2750 community work sentences and up to 24 jail sentences for people caught driving while suspended.
It was hoped suspensions would motivate people to settle their debts, Justice Minister Rick Barker said.
"Currently people see fines owed to the Government as 'soft credit' and so they don't see paying them off as a priority. They must be held accountable for breaking the law."
The majority of people owed around $500. More than half the fines owed were spread amongst just 37,000 offenders - generally men aged under 29.
- NZPA
