The Traffic Fines Enforcement Initiative will be phased in across the province. By the end of October, 15,000 drivers who committed traffic offenses in the City of Edmonton will receive letters requesting payment on overdue traffic tickets. Another 15,000 letters will be sent out by December, with letters to drivers in the remaining parts of the province mailed in the coming months. Drivers will have 14 business days to pay before collection action will be taken.  This initiative follows the successful pilot project that began two years ago where over 50,000 traffic tickets worth almost $9 million were targeted for active collection. Since that time, just over fifty per cent of those tickets have been paid, representing $4.8 million.

The majority of the funds collected on traffic tickets flow to the municipality that issued the ticket. Fines are usually paid voluntarily or disputed in court, however there are currently about 651,000 unpaid tickets across the province worth more than $126 million. These numbers are increasing every year as more vehicles are driving on Alberta’s roads. Enforcing payment is an important part of traffic safety - especially when many repeat offenders have 20 or more unpaid tickets, and some with over 50.

People with outstanding traffic tickets have the option of paying their fines by mail, by phone, over the internet or in person either at a courthouse or a registry agent office.  If a person fails to pay, they will not be able to register a vehicle or renew their driver’s license until the fine is paid.  In addition, if payment arrangements have not been made within 30 days, the individual will be registered with the Canada Revenue Agency, and their income tax refunds and GST rebates will be intercepted.  They may also have their wages and bank accounts garnisheed, and in extreme cases the program may even seize their property to secure payment. For more information about the Alberta Justice Fines Enforcement Program please go to: www.finesenforcement.gov.ab.ca or call 780-415-2969.