Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz supports proposed stiffer fines for traffic violations in the hope the move will serve as a deterrent to motorists who ignore the law. The proposed increased fines will take effect after they are approved by the Knesset Economic Committee, most likely not before the opening of the next Knesset session after the summer.

Each year, 40,000 motorists are apprehended for failure to stop for a red traffic signal. The current NIS 1,000 fine will be increased to NIS 1,500. A driver receives 10 points for this offense.

Failure to adhere to a ‘stop’ or ‘yield’ sign will result in the same fine, 250, but one will receive 10 points and be summoned to a court hearing.

Some other proposed changes include;

*Illegal U turn – increasing the fine from 250 to 750. (8 points)
*Traveling in a bus lane or the shoulder of a roadway – increasing the fine from 250 to 500. (2 points)
*Traveling in a bicycle lane – increasing the fine from 500 to 750.
*Passing illegally – increasing the fine from 500 to 1,000. (8 points).
*Blocking an intersection – increase of fine from 500 to 750. (6 points)
*Traveling with an infant who is not properly restrained in a safety seat – increase of the fine from 250 to 500. (2 points)
*Operating a two-wheeled vehicle without a helmet – increase of the fine from 250 to 500.
*Reading an SMS text message – fine being reduced from 1,000 to 500 and the 4 points remain.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)