NOT JUST BULLBARS!
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1260&storyid=920217
You can run but you can't hide dirty plates
February 19, 2004
MORE than 105,000 drivers have escaped fines by obscuring their number plates.
A Freedom of Information request, obtained by The Daily Telegraph found motorists are using devices like reflective tape and dirt to blacken the rear number plate, making it impossible to be captured on a speed or red light camera.
More than 11,000 number plates were obscured last year, forcing a new crackdown on speeding and dangerous driving by the NSW Government.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal 1500 road offences will be reformed under new proposals.
The driver's licence demerit system has also been completely reviewed, with motorists to
lose points for the first time for obscuring number plates, stopping near pedestrian crossings
and hindering emergency vehicles under the proposals.
Most fines will rise about $10 but the State Government claimed last night the reforms will be
"revenue neutral".
Under the reforms, the penalty for obscuring number plates will jump from $76 to $300 and the loss of three demerit points. Motorists will lose nine points and be fined $1175 for having radar and speed camera detectors.
Speeding through road work sites will cost up to eight points and $1500.
Roads Minister Carl Scully said the review held last year involving the RTA, NRMA,
police and the Pedestrian Council would lead to a more consistent fine and demerit structure. Key reforms include:
DEMERIT points on
parking offences. Stopping near pedestrian and school crossings will attract a $225 fine and the loss of three points;
THE loss of eight demerit points and $1500 for speeding above 45km/h in work sites and construction zones;
THE fine for failing to obey
police directions jumps from $49 to $225;
THE fine for driving too close to a car in front rises to $300; and
THE loss of three points and $225 for having illegal bullbars
Most fines for car drivers could increase by about $10, while truck drivers face a maximum $2350 fine and the loss of six points for speeding.
"Yes there are increases proposed . . . [but] there are also decreases proposed," Mr Scully said.
"If I hear the proposed fines are exorbitant I will consider that.
"The demerit point system is a coherent, effective and good reminder of the importance of complying with the traffic laws and the consequences of breaching them."
Mr Scully said 75 per cent of NSW motorists had not lost any demerit points in the past three years.
The reforms are up for public review until March 19.