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The laws are for everyone

Published:Saturday | October 19, 2019 | 12:22 AM

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I write in relation to a recently published article in one of your publications titled ‘Sandy Bay resident gets a huge traffic fine’.

I view these fines as being grossly inadequate in relation to the charges involved.

As a firm believer that the punishment must fit the crime, the disparity between a regular law-abiding citizen and a confirmed serial offender and fugitive from the law is unbelievably imbalanced.

I have in the past received traffic tickets for exceeding the speed limit, and the minimum amount the ticket is written for is $10,000. Here are two individuals who each have well in excess of 400 tickets plus outstanding warrants, and they receive a fine for the equivalent of less than $200 per ticket.

We have a point system that after accumulating a certain number of points, the driver’s licence is supposed to be suspended or revoked, but in this case, there is no mention of any such penalty.

Our legal system is sending a clear message to our indisciplined road users to ignore traffic tickets, let them accumulate, and you will get a wholesale rate as a penalty, with no regard to prison and/or loss of licence.

I guess we who pay our tickets at the full rate must be the fools in this system.

Laws are only effective if enforced and the penalties justly applied.

CONCERNED CITIZEN