Traffic fines for youth 'not working'

The Automobile Association wants authorities to stop handing out such large traffic fines, as the number of unpaid violations skyrockets.

Teenagers racked up $40 million in unpaid traffic fines in the past year. Ministry of Justice figures show a 16-year-old Dunedin boy is paying off over $49,000 in fines on a weekly basis.

AA spokesman Mike Noon says the two things that really do matter to young people are access to their vehicle, and having a licence to drive. He says the fines should be reduced to something like one hundred dollars, and the demerit points increased.

Mr Noon says after three traffic offences, people should lose their licence, and repeat offenders should have their vehicles confiscated.

- NEWSTALK ZB