Traffic fines in the Netherlands have risen too much and no longer match the seriousness of the offence, according to Albert Hazelhoff, the outgoing head of the government’s collection agency CJIB.

In an interview with the Leeuwarder Courant, Hazelhoff said the surcharge system in particular has become “out of all proportion”.

People who fail to pay a fine the first time face a 150% increase, and a second reminder doubles the amount again. In total, the fine can rise to 300% of the original sum, which he said, risks pushing people into financial difficulty.

“We want a reduction in the surcharge, or just a single reminder with one increase instead of two,” said Hazelhoff, who is stepping down after 35 years at the CJIB.

Hazelhoff has raised concerns before about the imbalance between administrative traffic fines and fines imposed under criminal law.  The penalty for using a phone behind the wheel (€430) is now higher, he noted, than the fine for someone who commits a first-time assault without causing injury.

A government review of the traffic fine system is currently under way and the results are expected in 2026.

In 2023, the public prosecution department warned that some fines for traffic offences are now so high, they risk alienating public support. Some 84% of fines are currently paid on time.

Justice minister Foort van Oosten told broadcaster NOS that the fines are indeed high, but that he has no plans to reduce them because they boost the ministry’s spending power.

“These fines fund important part’s of the ministry, such as the police and fire brigade,” he said.