Police consider mail-order fines
TERRITORY police are considering issuing fines via the mail after 45,000 vehicles were detected in breach of traffic laws by automatic numberplate recognition cars.
Presently, NT Police only issue fines for unregistered vehicles detected by the hi-tech fleet by pulling over the motorist and writing a ticket.
According to figures released in the NT Police annual report, the offences officers found among 45,000 scanned numberplates included unregistered cars, repeat traffic offenders and criminals wanted on warrants.
NT Police expanded the number of ANPR cars on Territory roads to eight earlier this year.
Motorists caught speeding by static speeding cameras on the roadside are issued fines in the post.
Drivers of unregistered cars also risk huge payouts if involved in crashes as they have no liability protection through compulsory third party insurance. Unregistered offenders also face possible jail sentences if they injure or kill someone in a crash.
Fines range from $300 for a vehicle within a month of its registration expiry date to $1500 if it has been more than a year.
Acting Superintendent Serge Bouma said discussions to send fines by mail from discretions recorded by ANPR cars, were under way but were yet to be formalised.
“Fines for speeding and unregistered offences already get issued via the mail in the case of vehicles detected by static and mobile speed cameras,” he said.
“We are always looking at different options to deal with offences and offending drivers, with the ultimate aim being to change driver attitudes and behaviour to encourage an environment of compliance.
“A large number of these alerts, bearing in mind they are not just for unregistered, are unable to be acted upon at the time for a myriad of reasons ranging from taskings to other urgent matters to a lack of opportunity or unacceptable risk involved in turning around to apprehend the vehicle.”
The cars scanned 1.1 million numberplates across the Territory in 2015-16.
Supt Bouma said the cars were on the road all day every day and the number of cars fitted with the hi-tech cameras may expand in the future.
“We already have a significant ANPR-equipped fleet with a large proportion of our dedicated traffic and highway patrol vehicles using ANPR already.
“Expansion is certainly a possibility particularly for the small proportion of traffic vehicles that are not currently equipped.”