Sharp increase in fines in Namibia

[kingshaka]

Sharp increase in traffic fines
By: WERNER MENGES

The cost of breaking the rules of the road in Namibia is set to raise sharply as soon as recommendations for an increase in admission-of-guilt fines for a range of traffic violations are approved. If the proposals are accepted, people caught driving without fastening their seatbelts, or driving while using a cellphone without a hands-free set, can expect to be slapped with a fine of N$2 000. Drivers who fail to obey a stop sign can expect to receive an admission-of-guilt fine of N$1 500, while the penalty to be paid by people who fail to stop at a red traffic light is set to increase to N$3 000 if the proposals are accepted. Dave Viljoen, advisor to the head of the Windhoek City Police on traffic matters, said yesterday that the proposed increases have been submitted to magistrates across Namibia for their approval. The new fines will be implemented once the magistrates have endorsed it. The aim is to have the new fines implemented from December 1, Viljoen said. The fines are being hiked after the section of the Criminal Procedure Act which had previously limited such fines to a maximum of N$300 was amended earlier this year. Admission-of-guilt fines of up to N$6 000 can now be levied in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act. People who are given admission of guilt fines will not have to appear in court as long as they agree to pay the fine. If someone disagrees with the fine or disputes that he or she is guilty of the alleged offence, he or she will have to appear in court and go through a trial. The recommended increases in fines cover a range of offences. For offences involving drinking and driving, no admission-of-guilt fines will be issued and offenders will have to appear in court. For speeding, the fines will depend on the extent that the speed limit has been exceeded. Someone who drives between 71 and 75 kilometres an hour in a 60 km/h zone, for instance, could be fined N$500, while the fine for driving between 76 and 80 in a 60 km/h zone could increase to N$1 500. Someone driving between 96 and 100 in a 60 km/h zone can expect to be fined N$2 500, while someone caught speeding at between 116 and 120 km/h could be fined N$3 500 on the spot if the proposals are approved. In a 120 km/h zone, someone caught driving at between 126 and 130 km/h can expect to be fined N$1 000. Someone driving between 141 and 145 km/h can expect to be fined N$2 000 under the new proposals, while someone speeding at between 156 and 160 km/h will be fined N$3 500. While the fine for driving without a seatbelt is set to be increased to N$2 000, people caught driving with children who are not wearing seatbelts or an appropriate child restraint will be fined N$1 000 under the proposals. People cited for reckless or negligent driving will be fined N$4 000 for a first offence, but will have to appear in court if caught for the same offence a second or subsequent time. For inconsiderate driving, the fine will be N$2 000. For driving a vehicle that is not roadworthy, a fine of N$2 000 will be levied.

[kingshaka]

TRAFFIC offences have just become a lot more expensive in Namibia, after new, sharply increased admission-of-guilt fines came into operation countrywide from Friday last week.

Read on: http://www.namibian.com.na/news/full-st ... -in-force/