North Battleford city council is moving ahead with plans to hike fines for traffic violations.
Council voted Feb. 15 to pass first and second reading to bylaw changes that would increase a number of fines as part of its Traffic Bylaw.
The proposed changes, however, did not receive the unanimous consent required to go to third reading. Councillor Trent Houk voted against, saying he was doing so in order for the proposed changes to be communicated to the public.
The bylaw should come up again at council's next meeting for third reading and likely passage at that time.
The changes cover a wide range of areas including residential parking, safety violations, fire lanes, no stopping zones and handicapped parking areas.
Residential parking fines are currently set at $10 with an increase to $20 if not paid in seven days. The bylaw changes call for a rise in those fines to $30, with the penalty reduced to $12 if voluntarily paid within 14 days.
Safety violations, fire lanes, no stopping zones and left wheels to curb fines are to go up from the current $20 fine, a fine lowered to $10 if paid within seven days. Under the bylaw changes, fines will be set at $60 after 14 days, with the penalty reduced to $40 if payment is made before that time.
Handicap parking violations are set to rise from the current $25, increasing to $40 after seven days. The new fine is to be set at $100, but will be reduced to $70 if it is paid voluntarily within 14 days.
One of the main features of the fines is that violators are being given a longer grace period to pay the fines. While the old bylaw allowed for lower fines if paid within seven days, the new regime calls for lower fines if paid voluntarily within 14 days.
