traffic fines down

ardmacha

Looking at the exchequer returns, traffic fines for 2010 are down 13% from €11.1m to €9.2m relative to 2009.

This gives a lie to some of the revenue raising allegations one finds here, since the government is strapped for cash but has not raised more.

There must be scope to raise more from obvious scofflaws. I'd put an automatic fine for anyone driving without lights in the Dublin Port Tunnel and stick a camera at motorway exits and do the shoot across the lanes to exit merchants.

sogood

ardmacha wrote: »

Looking at the exchequer returns, traffic fines for 2010 are down 13% from €11.1m to €9.2m relative to 2009.

This gives a lie to some of the revenue raising allegations one finds here, since the government is strapped for cash but has not raised more.

There must be scope to raise more from obvious scofflaws. I'd put an automatic fine for anyone driving without lights in the Dublin Port Tunnel and stick a camera at motorway exits and do the shoot across the lanes to exit merchants.

All things are relative. It's very possible that in these hardened times, there are less miles being driven, either by reducing unnecessary journeys, or less cars on the road? Also, watching the pennies, perhaps people are parking and paying for same, to offset the possibility of a hefty fine/clamping charge etc.Admittedly, there is plenty of scope to extract more from the motorist, as you suggested and if it helped to improve the general standard of driving on our roads, then I'm all for it. But shooting fish in a barell is and always has been, a revenue raising exercise. So, on that basis, I suppose we can expect to see more "speed traps" on motorways.But then perhaps the gap will be plugged in the forthcoming budget? I dont think they've taxed the air you put in your tyres yet!

jimmycrackcorm

ardmacha wrote: »

Looking at the exchequer returns, traffic fines for 2010 are down 13% from €11.1m to €9.2m relative to 2009.

This gives a lie to some of the revenue raising allegations one finds here, since the government is strapped for cash but has not raised more.

There are a hundred thousand (exaggerated) extra people who are not driving to work this year who have to walk to the dole office instead...

_Kaiser_

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

There are a hundred thousand (exaggerated) extra people who are not driving to work this year who have to walk to the dole office instead...

+1... first thing I thought of when I read the OP - there's a lot less cars on the road due to people being laid off in the past 18 months.

Absurdum

Garda overtime has been cut too, so there are less checks being done.

Cookie_Monster

i imagine due to insurance cost there a lot less of billy and mary driving on their parent insurance too as an extra as they can't pay and parent won't pay