By ANEEKA SIMONIS
LAW-evading drivers in the City of Casey owe more than $123 million in outstanding warrants, according to the latest Victorian Sheriff figures.
That gives Casey the dubious distinction of having the most outstanding fines owed state-wide.
In the 2014-15 financial year, 351,407 warrants were issued to more than 30,000 drivers in Casey – each averaging outstanding debts of more than $4000.
Neighbouring Cardinia Shire drivers have made some records of their own, owing more than $36 million in fines.
The report revealed 100,722 warrants were issued to more than 8400 debtors in the shire in 2014-15.
Cardinia ranked in equal second place for the highest average rate owed by individual debtors at $4277 – matching the average recorded in Frankston City Council.
Overall, debtors owe a total of more than $1.6 billion worth of fines from 4.5 million warrants.
Victorian Sheriff Brendan Facey said the figures showed that some people were still choosing to ignore their unpaid fines.
“We don’t want to see people’s matters escalating through the system. We want people to speak with us about their options before they are caught by Sheriff’s officers,” he said.
People failing to pay their fines face serious sanctions including having their cars clamped, assets seized or their drivers licence suspended.
“Fines can quickly escalate after infringements are issued. For example, you may be issued with a red-light infringement in January, with a penalty of $379.00. By June, if you ignored your fine, the total penalty could be $544.90,” Mr Facey said.
If you need to track or pay outstanding fines, visit fines.vic.gov.au or call the Sheriff’s department on 1300 743 743.
