Algeria’s public treasury looses 22 billion DA for fine evasion

Algerian public treasury lost 22 billion Algerian dinars as not paid fines in the first four months of 2008. Over 300,000 fines were recorded for driving code branches, Echorouk has learnt.

• Most of the branches consisted in parking in prohibited areas, non-use of safety belt and using mobile phone in driving.
• In most of time, the drivers do not pay the fines especially within recent amendments of driving code. Old measures force the drivers to pay the fine first to recover the driving licence afterward. This measure was banned on the basis that driving licence withdrawal “harms personal freedoms.”
• An executive at the National Gendarmerie command told Echorouk drivers who do not pay the fines, will appear in court. On the other hand, he said there is a delay in handling cases because courts are busy with corruption and real-estate-related cases.
• Earlier, the National Gendarmerie command suggested reviving traffic accident courts to decide in such cases.
• Colonel Bellouti had indicated that the increase in traffic accidents is due to a lack of sufficient driving trainings. “Summer witnesses the highest rate of traffic accidents,” he said.
• He suggested continuing prevention and sensitisation measures as well as changing fines system by raising their value.
•