GNWT ups fines for drivers
More than 200 penalties increasing this month
Kirsten Fenn
Northern News Services
Monday, April 3, 2017
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
NWT drivers will now face heftier fines for violating the rules of the road, with some penalties increasing by nearly $300.
The GNWT recently announced it is increasing 229 fines under the Motor Vehicles Act, starting April 1.
Among the largest increases are fines for failing to stop for a school bus and stunt driving, which will both increase by $287. The new fines are $402, up from the original $115.
Careless driving now comes with a fine of $322, up from the previous $115, while failing to stop at a red light will increase from $86 to $172.
"This is entirely about road safety, making sure that the enforcement agencies have the appropriate tools so we can make sure our roads are as safe as possible," said Russell Neudorf, deputy minister of transportation.
That's why some of the largest increases are related to issues like school bus safety, he said.
Speeding offences, however, will not be affected, as they were updated last year, Neudorf added.
Regular drivers aren't the only ones who will be affected by the changes.
Some of the updates impact large vehicle control regulations, which set out rules for vehicles like B trains, for example.
The new rules set higher fines for things like asking drivers to drive winter road resupply vehicles for more than 105 hours on-duty time in seven days or allowing them to drive again in a day without eight hours of off-duty time.
According to Neudorf, the department of transportation compared its fines with other jurisdictions while reviewing how to make its own increases.
