Speeding motorists will have to wait until at least the summer to bypass the tedium of traffic court and pay their fines directly.

Government promised in the November, 1999 Throne Speech to introduce laws to allow speeders caught doing less than 62 kph to pay their fines automatically without having to appear in court.

Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister said that he had been looking at a draft Cabinet paper outlining the new legislation but he did not hold out much hope of an early law change.

He said: "It's legislation which comes under the Prosecution of Offenders Act and we are looking at amending that.

"I was looking at the draft of the Cabinet paper this afternoon which will try to move the process forward.

"It would be my desire to see us get to that point so people can decide just like a parking ticket whether they want to pay it or contest it.

"That will certainly free up the courts and move things a lot faster.

"I have seen the paper, but when it will go into effect I really can't tell you.

"I wanted this in effect three years ago. It's something which has taken us a long time to get to this point - much to my dissatisfaction.

"We were told all along by the Attorney General's department that changing this Act was going to be so horrendous, so big we have agreed to do now is break it down and change sections that will deal with certain issues.

"Hopefully, we can get to that point and if we can succeed we'll get some things to Parliament during the May, June, July session."

Magistrates' Court administrative officer Tracey Kelly said the bill would free up space in the very small court rooms.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said she supported the law change to relieve the burden on the court system.

She added: "It should not be that difficult to change it."

Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin said Government had been quick to bring in legislation for dogs and horses but had been slower to bring in laws for people.

She added: "On the other hand we don't want to make things so everyone throws caution to the wind and disrespects the law."