From today, Police are streamlining the process for the way infringement notices are issued for driving offences at the roadside.
Instead of handing out paper infringement notices at the roadside, Police officers will now be able to issue infringements electronically through their mobile devices. These will be sent directly to the person’s postal address.
“If someone is stopped for a driving offence, rather than the officer having to hand write or print out the notice and give it to the motorist, the officer will instead be able to scan the person’s details on their mobile phone and through the new OnDuty phone application that has been developed, they will be able to automatically record the offence into the system,” says National Road Policing Manager Superintendent Steve Greally.
“This will reduce the amount of paperwork for staff and provide a greater opportunity to engage in conversations with motorists regarding safer driving behaviour.”
The notice will be processed the next business day and recipients should expect to receive it in the mail within seven days following the date of issue. The time available to take action in relation to a notice will not be affected. The process for querying a notice is also unchanged.
“The approach Police takes to dealing with driving infringements and unsafe vehicles and risky driver behaviour has not changed – only the process for issuing notices has,” Mr Greally says.
Previously infringements were mailed out only when the officer was not able to provide a paper copy at the time.
“While we would rather not have to issue anyone with a notice, hopefully the changes will make the process a little more streamlined and should generally result in less delay for the motorist at the roadside, while still providing an opportunity for our staff to engage in important roadside safety conversations,” Mr Greally says.
“As has always been the case, Police does not retain any of the fines that result from driving offences, all of which goes to the Government. Our only interest is in having fewer victims on our roads through encouraging safer driver behaviour and targeting those who put us all at risk.”
The OnDuty application is built to work offline, which means it can be used across New Zealand, including areas with no mobile coverage. Introduction of the app follows a recent successful pilot.
“Feedback from the pilot has been positive, with the new process allowing officers and the public to focus on road safety conversations rather than filling in a piece of paper at the roadside.
“We plan to add more tools onto the OnDuty application in the near future, covering all aspects of police work from road offences to family violence or burglaries.”
Mr Greally says the changes will also mean Police officers’ time is freed up to focus on crime prevention activities and keeping communities safe.
“But Police cannot do it alone. We all have a part to play in keeping our roads safe.”
ENDS
Police media contact: Ross Henderson, ph 04 470 7316.
Watch a short video on the new process here: https://youtu.be/A71pyLM0Ot8
Full details on how to address a notice are available on our website here: http://www.police.govt.nz/contact-us/how-pay-infringement-fee/pay-police-infringement-fee
