Court says government should not have increased traffic fines

The government should not have increased traffic fines in 2024, a court in Utrecht ruled on Friday.

Dutch authorities raised traffic fines by 10% in 2024, partially due to inflation and partially to help balance the country’s budget.

A judge in Utrecht found that the national budget cannot be a justification for increasing the fines as it creates an imbalance between traffic offenses and other crimes.

Last year, fines generated around 1 billion euros for the state treasury.

Dutch courts have seven several cases recently about the traffic fine increases, with one judge reducing the fine and another upholding them. These cases are all under appeal.

In a separate decision on Friday, an advisor to the Dutch Supreme Court said that fees for failing to pay traffic fines must be subjected to judicial review.

One man received seven traffic fines within a year and did not pay on time, bringing what he owed from 1,000 euros to over 3,000 euros.

Failing to pay a traffic fine nets a fee of 50% of the fine amount, which is followed by an increase of 100% if the ticket is still not paid.

The advocate general’s opinion says a review must take place to determine if a person did not pay due to a lack of financial means.