Last week it became clear that the Ministry of Justice and Security wants to release an inflation correction of 8.6 percent on Dutch traffic fines. In response to the announcement, of course, some parliamentary questions followed. For example, the question whether it was such a good idea ‘to allow traffic fines to rise in line with inflation during a serious purchasing power and poverty crisis’.
The Minister of Justice and Security Yeşilgöz-Zegerius has replied yesterday to the incoming questions. ‘I don’t think it’s obvious to index Wahv fines* [verkeersboetes] to seize the opportunity to dampen the consequences of inflation’, says the minister in her answers to the parliamentary questions.
Not including the fines in the inflation adjustment would reduce the effect of the fines: ‘Deviating from the annual indexation would mean that an imposed Wahv fine would be relatively less severe for all road users. This means that unsafe driving is less discouraged.’
In addition, you do not have to drive any traffic fines. According to the minister, these are costs that you can avoid: ‘Wahv fines are also avoidable costs – you don’t have to drive too fast or go through a red light. Road users who comply with the rules do not have to pay these costs.’
‘Consequences of the increase in traffic fines are limited’
Finally, the minister argues that the increase in costs is not too bad: ‘In addition, the consequences of this indexation for most Wahv fines are also limited in absolute terms. For example, the average Wahv fine in 2021 was 81.15 euros. As a result of this indexation, the average fine increases by slightly less than 7 euros. Most people will also not regularly receive a traffic fine.’
Incidentally, other fines will become more expensive: ‘In the case of more serious traffic violations from the Wahv, which pose a greater risk to road safety, the consequences of indexation are greater. For example, consider holding a mobile phone while driving. This fine will increase by EUR 30 to EUR 380.’
*Administrative Enforcement Traffic Regulations Act
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