By BRIDGET COOK
CASEY’s young drivers are at risk of falling into a debt trap, with figures revealing they owe the most in the state to the Sheriff’s Office.
Local drivers aged between 18 and 24 years old owe more than $6.25 million in unpaid fines, almost $400,000 more than any other local government area in Victoria.
The unpaid fines stem from 3068 Casey drivers who have 18,344 outstanding warrants.
The statistics showed that nine of the 10 most common outstanding warrants related to young people’s use of cars and that about 75 per cent of those with outstanding warrants were male.
Sheriff of Victoria Brendan Facey said that while young people typically have lower numbers of outstanding warrants, too many were ignoring their fines and were facing large debts.
“These stem from fines from speeding to parking illegally and a failure to pay tolls,” he said.
“We know that cars are a major part of coming of age and an important tool in attending study or starting a career, but ignoring fines could lead your freedom machine to be clamped.
“Parents should ensure they talk to their children about the importance of having an e-tag if they are using toll roads and the need to pay their bills and fines on time.”
There are increased fees at each stage that a fine is ignored and progresses to a warrant.
Ignoring a small toll could eventually lead to a warrant worth more than $300.
Sheriff’s officers have powers to suspend drivers’ licences and registration, place clamps on cars, seize property and arrest people.
Individuals can check whether they have outstanding fines by contacting Civic Compliance Victoria on 1300 221 249 or pay outstanding fines at www.fines.vic.gov.au.
