Motoring fines may be put on your car tax bill

Motorists who fail to pay fines for driving offences could have the bill added to their next motor tax demand under proposals to be considered by the Government.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter said he would be discussing the idea with Transport Minister Leo Varadkar as an alternative to bringing people before the courts.

Almost 60% of cases dealt with by the district courts last year related to road traffic offences where fines were issued but not paid — 193,000 cases — and Chief Justice Susan Denham said the automatic use of the courts in these situations should be reconsidered.