03/03/2010

The state government of Western Australia is considering plans to clamp vehicles as a measure to crack down on unpaid fines.

At present the Fines Enforcement Registry in the Australian state is chasing AU$230 million (£138 million) worth of unpaid fines, and last year the state penalised more than 70,000 drivers for overdue fines by suspending their licenses.

The Attorney General of Western Australia, Christian Porter, said that they are looking at wheel clamping to provide a solution to this problem: "At the moment the way in which we attempt to stop an individual using their vehicle if they've got outstanding fines is to take their licence off them."

He went on to say: "People are driving without their licence, so that isn't working to the extent that we would like."

And his solution to this issue? "Now one great way to stop people from using their vehicles is to immobilise their vehicles with a wheel clamp and then the choices are pay your fines or get a good pair of running shoes."

Perhaps this could solve obesity problems also, if this is a concern in Western Australia!