Driving fines frozen since 1999 have lost their bite and need inflation adjustments to help improve road safety, the AA says.
The motoring organisation, representing 1.1 million personal members, has renewed calls for an overhaul of penalties, arguing their deterrent value has been outpaced by income growth in the past three decades.
AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said the outdated system was failing to change driver behaviour.
"Getting stung $30 for a low-level speeding infringement in 1999 was a significant chunk out of your paycheck – but the deterrent value has eroded when you consider the growth in wages," Thomsen said.
Road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said more could be done to make the system better at keeping roads safe. (Source: Breakfast)
"We’d like to see fines increased to have the same real value as they did in 1999 and to be automatically adjusted for inflation from then on to maintain their impact over time."
Reviewing the penalties for traffic offences was part of the Government's Road Safety Objectives, released in October 2024.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said in a statement that he remained "committed to reviewing penalties for traffic offences". He noted it was also mentioned as a priority in the Government's land transport policy statement.
"Most of the financial penalties and demerit point levels for offences have not been reviewed since 1999. As a result, a number of these penalties are too low to deter unsafe behaviour."
An AA spokesperson said surveys of its members showed less than half believed current fines effectively discouraged common offences – including speeding, seatbelt violations, mobile phone use and drink or drug driving.
Thomsen said higher fines might concern cash-strapped motorists but crashes imposed heavy costs through tragedy, healthcare pressure and repair bills.
"Our fines and penalties are well behind the times, and this is undermining road safety. The system needs a thorough review to make it relevant and effective at driving behaviour change," he said.
"Most similar countries have tougher driving penalties than New Zealand and lower crash rates. Effective fines and penalties aren’t the whole solution, but they are an important part of it."
He added that some offences also carry "sanctions which appear to be inconsistent with the potential harm they could cause", such as an unregistered vehicle attracting a $200 fine and demerit points.
"Yet, other offences with vastly different safety implications are less severe – failing to stop at a red light and not wearing a seatbelt each incurs a $150 fine and no demerits."
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