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Revenue from parking fines expected to double

Government expects a 100 percent increase in revenue from parking tickets.

Government expects a 100 percent increase in revenue from parking tickets on stationary vehicles next year, but a 35 percent drop in revenue from moving traffic fines.The Budget book shows Government expects $1.5 million to pour into its coffers from parking fines during the year beginning April 1. That compares to $750,000 that was forecast for the current fiscal year, of which only $700,000 has been paid to date.The Traffic Offences Procedure Amendment Act 2010 passed by Parliament last summer means the standard parking fine went up from $50 to $75 if paid within 14 days; $100 after 14 days but before a trial date is set and $150 on summary conviction in court.The law is yet to come into force, according to the Bermuda Laws Online website, but could account for the forecast revenue increase if it comes into force this fiscal year.When the law was debated in the House of Assembly, the then Transport Minister Ewart Brown said that should tackle the problem of the $400,000 in unpaid fines that people rack up each year.However, Government expects to net $1.4 million less than expected from moving traffic fines such as jumping lights and speeding. It had hoped to gain $3.25 million for the fiscal year 2010/11 but is only projected to have netted $1.75 million by the time the year ends on March 31.Despite that, the Budget states that $2.1 million is expected to come Government’s way in the next fiscal year.Bermuda Democratic Alliance spokesman on justice, Mark Pettingill, said he was concerned that meant the police presence on the roads would be cut back in the coming year due to the police budget being cut by $7.5 million.“Death on the roads is still an issue in this country. We still need to keep on top of that,” he said.Trevor Moniz of the United Bermuda Party, who is Shadow Justice Minister, also hopes there will not be a decline in traffic policing.“What we are seeing now is a lot more speed bumps everywhere and traffic ripples. They’re putting in more physical things to try to slow traffic down but we’re seeing less traffic police,” he said.