Roadside spies are inflicting thousands of dollars worth of repeat fines on unsuspecting unlicensed motorists.

Since the Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) system came into effect on July 1, it has totted up more than 1,580 violations, each bringing a fine of between $750 to $1,000.

Chris Spencer, Acting Director of the Transport Control Department, says the $2.4 million system could end up paying for itself. Prior to EVR's introduction, Government was losing an estimated $2.5 million in revenue each year due to cheaters.

According to TCD figures, up to eight percent of the 29,230 cars on the Island are unlicensed or uninsured, the equivalent of 5,520 vehicles.

And while the first phase of EVR has focused on cars, motorcyclists – considered even worse offenders – are next.

If you doubt the system can catch up with you, then spare a thought for one motorist who has received $15,000 in penalties in just the past six weeks.

The man, who cannot be named for data protection reasons, pleaded not guilty on August 14 and the case will now proceed at Magistrates' Court in October.

It will then be up to the magistrate's discretion as to whether to be lenient over the repeat fines, but Mr. Spencer warned that once someone's vehicle is detected, it cannot be re-licensed until the owner has received the outstanding summonses.

EVR works through all motorists being required to have a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag affixed to their windshield.

The tags, considered mandatory by July 1, contain information such as licence plate number, registration expiration and insurance.

There are currently four EVR readers on the Island, which use motion sensors to send a radio signal to read the chip in the EVR tag.

Unlicensed vehicles are then photographed and issued with an automatic $750 fine.

Those with no insurance face an additional $1,000 penalty, with offenders given seven days to pay each fine.

Bermuda is the first country in the world to implement EVR, which electronically verifies whether a motorist has a valid registration, and Mr. Spencer said the system was already having an impact.

"It is well worth the money spent," he said. "Normally at TCD we notice a lull in activity mid-month, but this didn't happen in July and August.

"We've been busy every day with people coming in to re-licence their vehicles."

Mr. Spencer said TCD did not yet have a breakdown in the fines, but said the 1,580 violations would include "multiple offenders".

The four EVR devices are located at: Blue Hole Hill, Hamilton Parish; The Lane, Paget; South Road, Paget; and Middle Road, Devonshire. But there are also plans to roll out another 16 around the Island.

Mr. Spencer said: "The test phase is for vehicles but we will move to include motorcycles and expand the reader sites.

"The original plan was to have at least 20 and so we will put them in as increments as we see fit.

"This is just a modern way of dealing with an offence. If there was a policeman at the side of the road, they would also report a motorist for repeat offences. If you choose to drive your vehicle unlicensed and uninsured, it is all illegal.

"It is a case of public safety. We can't have unlicensed and uninsured cars driving around Bermuda. It is unsafe for other road users and complicates things if there is a collision."

A spokesman for TCD added: "Offenders will be reported for every offence committed if they drive past one of the EVR readers.

"Therefore, a person who either through ignorance or choice drives along the same route to work every day of the week will be reported at least five times in one week.

"Gone are the days when those who choose to drive unlicensed and uninsured vehicles can do so until 'found committing' by a Police or TCD Traffic Officer. In other words, there is no escape."

For more information visit: www.tcd.gov.bm.