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AA Members' views on fines and penalties for unsafe driving

29 July 2025

Fines, demerits and penalties for unsafe driving are important tools for encouraging safer driving and supporting enforcement of road rules.

Many of New Zealand's fines and demerit point levels have not been updated since 1999. As a result, some penalties were too low to effectively deter unsafe behaviour. Infringement fees are also significantly lower than those in comparable countries, such as Australia.

The government was to review the fines and penalties system for unsafe driving in 2025. To understand our AA Members’ experience and views on unsafe driving,  fines, and penalties we conducted two surveys in early 2025 with over 2,000 AA Members participating in each. 

Person on phone while driving

What AA Members think of the current NZ fines and penalties for unsafe driving

Fines are not discouraging unsafe driving

Less than half of Members believe current fines are detering unsafe driving; and mobile phone fines ($150) are seen as particularly ineffective.

Many Members feel fines are too low, especially for wealthier drivers who can easily afford them.

We also found that more than half of Members could accurately identify the cost of fines.

Demerits and enforcement are considered more effective

Demerits and police enforcement are seen as stronger deterrents than fines. 9 out of 10 Members believe the threat of losing a licence prevents unsafe driving. Members alo support increasing demerit penalties and expanding their use.

Safety cameras are seen as effective, but their use should be expanded to other road user behaviour

We found that 6 out of 10 think permanent, signposted safety cameras discourage unsafe driving. Half of Members think temporary safety cameras are effective. Members want cameras to target a broader range of unsafe behaviours (e.g., mobile phone use, seatbelts).

Warrant of Fitness enforcement is not seen as effective

WoF-related fines are seen as less effective, partly due to low enforcement and rural disparities.

Many Members raised that they would prefer more safety-focused approach for vehicle maintenance issues rather than punitive measures.

Unsafe driving is relatively high, despite Members thinking it is unsafe

We found that speeding is especially common, even at speeds over 25km. There were also relatively high rates of distracted driving: Over a third had used a mobile phone while driving in the past 4 weeks. Of particular concern was that nearly 1 in 10 drove while so tired they had trouble staying awake.

There is strong support for strengthening fines and penalties 

Nearly 9 out of 10 Members support increased penalties for repeat offenders.

Over 8 out of 10 support interlocks for first-time drink drivers. Nearly 7 out of 10 support longer licence suspensions for high demerit point accumulation.

There needs to be discretion for those on low or no income to have alternative penalties

Nearly 7 out of 10 Members support alternative penalties (e.g., demerits, education) for low-income drivers. Members are concerned that fines disproportionately impact poorer drivers and may lead to further hardship or non-compliance.

Strengthened fines and penalties for learner drivers could build safer driving habits

Over 8 of 10 support higher fines and a zero-alcohol limit for learner drivers, and nearly 7 out of 10 support faster licence progression for those with no demerits

Support for education and incentives to encourage safe driving

4 out of 10 Members think road safety campaigns effectively prevent unsafe driving, and 4 out of 10 think insurance incentives discourage unsafe driving. Members see these as useful but not sufficient on their own.

 

Are demerits, fines and enforcement discouraging unsafe driving?

Fines are not preventing unsafe driving

We asked Members how effective they think unsafe driving fines are at preventing unsafe driving.

We found that for all types of unsafe driving (speeding, seatbelt use, drink driving, drugged driving, and mobile phone use), less than half of Members thought they were preventing unsafe driving. 

Fine effectiveness
The effectiveness of traffic safety fines for preventing unsafe driving

Fines are too low to discourage unsafe driving

“I observe lots of people behaving poorly and driving badly so obviously the current system is not working well. Fines are not taken seriously and most of all people have the perception they get away with it most of the time because of rare policing.”
"I think certain fines should be higher to actually encourage people not to do things eg using a mobile phone while driving - in Australia I've heard that the fine for using a mobile phone while driving is really high, and New Zealand should be doing that to actually make the fines effective"

 

Fines aren't high enough to deter the wealthy

 “Fines should be calculated based on the income of the person receiving the fine - even a large fine doesn't annoy a wealthy person but could cause financial difficulty for a poorer person”
“They are way too low for richer people and commercial drivers”

Awareness of the cost of fines

We asked Members to pick from a range how much they thought common unsafe driving fines were. Across all categories, most Members gave inaccurate estmates, or didn't know how much fines were. 

Members don't know the cost of fines
How many Members know the cost of unsafe driving fines

Knowing how much fines are might discourage unsafe driving

“Many are unaware so they need to be more widely publicised and collected to be effective.” 
 “Somehow impressing to people the cost  of unsafe driving needs to be a priority. Cost to lives, cost of them losing their car, and possibly their job. Cost to their families.”

Demerits are effective at preventing unsafe driving

We wanted to understand how effective Members think demerits are discouraging unsafe driving at the momet. 

We found that:

  • 7 out of 10 of Members think they are effective at discouraging unsafe driving.
  • Just under 1 in 10 Members had demerits on their licence.
Copy of FINAL charts for fines and penalties website - 24
Demerits discourage unsafe driving

Demerits are more effective than fines

“The threat of temporarily losing my license due to demerit points is a big incentive to keep to the speed limit. I can't afford to lose it.”
“Penalties appear more effective than fines in curbing unsafe driving.”

Police enforcement discourages unsafe driving

Police presence and enforcement have been demonstrated to deter unsafe driving. We wanted to know how effective our Members think this currently is:

  • Over 9 out of 10 Members think the chance of losing your licence on the spot for unsafe driving is effective or very effective
  •  About 8 out of 10 believe police patrols on the road are preventing unsafe driving.

Enforcement is too low to deter unsafe driving

 "There's no point having fines when there is no police presence to actually apply them"
“I observe lots of people behaving poorly and driving badly so obviously the current system is not working well. Fines are not taken seriously and most of all people have the perception they get away with it most of the time because of rare policing.”

Safety cameras prevent unsafe driving

We wanted to understand Members' views of how effective safety cameras are for preventing insafe driving.

We found:

  • Over 6 out of 10 think permanent safety cameras discourage unsafe driving.
  • Half of Members think temporary safety cameras with no signage prevent unsafe driving.

 

Members think safety cameras are generally effective
Members think safety cameras mostly prevent unsafe driving

Permanent safety cameras slow drivers down

“Make cameras highly visible. Better to prevent speeding than fining drivers.”
“Speed cameras are so effective in Australia that the drivers are excellent there and don't drive aggressively like some of the drivers here in NZ”

Temporary safety cameras are viewed with scepticism

“Camera vans and police cars are ineffective, motorists warn each other. Fines are only seen as a revenue collector, not to improve road safety.

More safety cameras are needed for meaningful enforcement

“Need more police to keep our roads safe. We just do not have the police numbers. So should have more cameras like other country's do.”

Speeding fines are not delivered fast enough to change behaviour

"With speeding, you are not told until days later.'

Safety cameras need to enforce more than speeding

“Use cameras at traffic lights to catch red light runners.”
“Use of hand-held mobile phones while moving needs to be monitored by camera and incur an significant fine. Similarly with not wearing a seatbelt”

 

The chance of receiving a Warrant of Fitness fine is not preventing unsafe driving

We wanted to know  if Members think the potential of receiving a Warrant of Fitness fine discourages unsafe driving.

We found that Members didn't think this was particularly effective:

  • Less than 4 out of 10 think the chance of getting a ticket from a parking warden is preventing unsafe driving
  • About a third think the chance of getting a ticket from a police officer  prevents unsafe driving.
The chance of a Warrant of Fitness does not prevent unsafe driving
Chance of a WoF ticket isn't seen as preventing unsafe driving

Warrant of Fitness enforcement is too low to deter people

"There needs to more focus on condion of cars being at a wof standard, every day I see vehicles or trailers on our motorways  with bald tyres, not all tail lights working
"Here in Katikati the number of vehicles with no wof and out of rego is alarming. You can report it but nothing is done!"

How common is unsafe driving?

Driving while using a mobile phone is common

We found high rates of mobile phone use while driving, despite almost no Members thinking this is safe.

  • Over a third of Members had checked their mobile phone while driving at least once in the past 4 weeks. 0% think this is a safe thing to do.
Checking mobile phone
Members think fines aren't preventing unsafe driving

Mobile phone use is widespread

"I frequently observe people driving and using mobiles, including truck drivers"
"The amount of scrolling through social media I see daily on the all types of roads is off the charts and the fact the police cannot "book them" unless they can physically see the device in their hands is a joke."
Texting, messaging and scrolling social media on phones while driving
Texting, messaging and scrolling social media on phones while driving

We also found relatively high rates of people texting, messaging and calling others while driving:

  • Over 1 in 10 (12%) had text or messaged while driving. 0% thought this was safe.
  • 1 in 10 (10%) had talked on a handheld mobile phone while driving; only 2% thought this was safe. 
  • A small amount (3%) had scrolled social media while driving.

Mobile phone use is causing unsafe driving

“I observe Drivers using mobile phones while driving every day I drive. This is a big problem, especially weaving in and out of lanes, following too close etc”
"The amount of people I see every day using their phones while driving is ridiculous, especially on our rural roads at 80 and 100 km, they veer into the road side and across the white lines in middle of road, or drop speed, then speed up."
Text or message at intersection

Mobile phone use is not enforced

“Mobile phone usage needs much higher fines but mostly needs more enforcement”

Mobile phone fines are too low to discourage drivers

"Penalties for genuinely dangerous activities such as mobile phone use and red light running are far too low."
"Fines should be increased across the board, but especially for mobile phone use."

Speeding is common, despite being seen as unsafe

We wanted to know how common it is for people to speed, at what levels, and where.

We found that speeding is very common. Members reported that in the past 4 weeks:

  • The majority of Members had driven between 5 to 10kms over the speed limit: 6 out of 10 on highways or open roads,  6 out of 10 near roadworks, and 7 out of 10 on urban roads.
  • A significant amount had driven 20km or more over the speed limit: a third of Members on highways or open roads, a quarter near roadworks, and around 2 out of 10 on urban roads.
Speeding is high
Speeding is common - even at unsafe levels

We also found that a significant amount of Members saw speeding 5-10km over the speed limit as safe compared to driving 20km or more over the speed limit.

  • Driving 5 to 10km above the speed limit on a highway or open road was considered safe by 4 out of 10 of Members. Going 20km or more above the speed limit was considered safe by less than 1 in 10 Members. 
  • Driving 5 to 10km over the speed limit in an urban area was seen as safe by just under 2 out of 10 of Members. At speeds of 20km or more above the speed limit, just 2% think this is safe. 
  • Driving slightly above the speed limit (5 to 10 km) near roadworks was seen as safe by over 1 out of 10 of Members.  Just 3% thought this was safe when driving 20km or more above the speed limit. 

Driving slightly over the speed limit is unfairly punished

"It is crazy being fined when you are driving slightly over the speed limit"

People think compliance needs to focus on other aspects of unsafe driving

"The fines are used inappropriately. They should be focused more towards discouraging dangerous driving (not staying in lanes, cutting corners, pulling out of intersections dangerously, driving into round-a-bouts without looking, wearing headphones whilst driving, etc.) rather than speed. "
"I personally feel that their is a lot of revenue gathering done through speeding fines as the police tend to target places where you could easily accidentally speed rather than areas that would be hazardous if you were speeding." 
 

Driving without seatbelts

Seatbelts are implicated in many fatal crashes.

We found that:

  • 7% of Members drove with a passenger who was not wearing a seatbelt in the past 4 weeks.
  • 3% drove without a seatbelt.

 

Seatbelt rates

Drink driving is seen as very unsafe - but some still do it

We found that:

  • 6% of Members drove while slightly intoxicated in the past 4 weeks
  • Only 1% of Members think this is safe. 
  • 4% drove while very intoxicated in the past 4 weeks.
  • 0% Members thought this was safe. 

 

Drugged driving is rare and seen as unsafe

We wanted to know the rates of drugged driving, and also how much social licence there is for it.

Drug driving is rare and seen as unsafe
Drug driving is rare and seen as unsafe

We found that:

  • A small amount  (1%) drove after taking recreational drugs in the past 4 weeks.
  • The overwhelming majority (97%) of Members believe this is unsafe.

Extreme driver fatigue is at concerning levels

Fatigue is a factor in many crashes. We wanted to know how many Members were driving when dangerously tired.

High rates of fatigued driving
High rates of fatigued driving

We found that:

  • Just under 1 in 10 Members had driven while so tired they had trouble staying awake in the past 4 weeks.
  • The overwhelming majority (99%) think this is unsafe.

Driving after taking impairing prescription medications is low and seen as unsafe

1 in 4 medications can impair driving. This includes strong painkillers, sedatives, and even antidepressants. To recognise the risk this can create, 2023 saw the introduction of penalties for medicated driving. 

We wanted to undertand the rates and social licence for driving after taking a prescribed medication that could impair driving. 

Driving while on medication is rare and mostly seen as unsafe

We found that:

  • A small group of people (3%) drove after taking prescription drugs that could impair their driving at least once in the past 4 weeks
  • 9 out 10 of Members think this is unsafe. 1% think this is safe. 

 

1 out of 10 drove with an expired Warrant of Fitness in the past 4 weeks

We were interested in how common it was to drive with an expired Warrant of Fitness, as well as worn tyres. 

We found:

  • A minority (8%) had driven with an expired Warrant of Fitness in the past four weeks. 
  • While over half  (55%) think this is unsafe, much fewer Members considered this dangerous compared to  other behaviour, (e.g. driving after prescription medication and speeding). 

Driving with worn tyres is seen as unsafe - but still happens

From 2021 to 2024, an NZTA analysis indicated that vehicle faults (e.g. brake failures, worn tyres) were a factor in 2% of fatal and serious crashes. We wanted to know how frequently people drive unsafe vehicles.

We found that:

  • A small group (4%) had driven with worn tyres in the past 4 weeks. 
  • The vast majority (96%) think this is unsafe. 

Warrants of Fitnesses contribute to safety - but the poor may need support complying

“Often those without a WOF or bald tires are the ones who can least afford the fines so bigger fines will not help their situation. The money would be better spent on new tires rather than a fine.”
“When we are on the road, we are driving alongside strangers, who may not be adhering to the road rules and their vehicles may not be roadworthy. It is important that WOFs, for example, are doing a good job.”

What would improve fines and penalties for unsafe driving?

Demerits should be strengthened

We wanted to understand Members' support for ways to strengthen the demerits system. 

We found that:

  • 2 out of 3 Members support doubling the time drivers lose their license from 6 months to 3 months if they accrue 100 demerit points.
  • Less than half  supported demerits remaining on a licence for 3 years, up from the current 2 years.
Members support for strengthening demerits
Members support losing licence for 3 months with 100 demerit points

Demerits need to be stronger to be a deterrant

"We hand out so few demerits it takes many offences to lose your licence in NZ, whereas you would often lose it on first or second offence in other countries like the UK."
“The Demerit points would need to double in some cases.”

Demerits should be used to address speeding

“Lower speed limits that are obeyed are needed, and enforced with widespread use of speed cameras that attract demerit points.”
Switch speeding fines to demerits and you effect all drivers equally, regardless of their wealth.”

Repeat offenders should face higher fines and penalties

We wanted to understand Members’ views of how people who repeatedly drive unsafely should be dealt with.

We found that:

  • There is strong support for increasing fines and penalties for repeat offenders, with 9 out of 10 Members supporting this measure.
Member support for strengthening fines and penalties for repeat offenders
Member support for increasing fines and penalties for repeat offenders
Fines need to be high enough to be a deterrant
“Fines need to be more as a deterrent, especially for repeat offenders”
“I think the penalties need to be much higher for repeat offenders”
Unsafe driving measures need to prevent further offending
“Unfortunately, fines and penalties don’t stop some drivers who should not be driving from driving and the court system is sometimes dysfunctional in punishing these drivers in a meaningful and preventative manner.”
 “It's ineffective. People can rack up huge fines, lose their license and not give a damn. Fines over a certain limit should result in mandatory driving education courses”
“The penalty should be fair and reasonable. Excessive punishments make people hate authority. They encourage disrespect of the law and destructive behaviour”

 

The justice system needs to strike a balance between punishment and rehabilitation

We also wanted to know where Members thought the balance should be for how the justice system responds to repeat offenders.

We found that AA Members are across a spectrum for how they think the justice system should deal with those who commit multiple offences:

  • 39% want rehabilitation prioritised
  • 34% want punishment prioritised
  • 28% want a balance. 

Learner drivers should have stronger fines and penalties

There is international evidence that stronger fines and penalties for learner drivers can encourage them to drive safely; forming crucial habits to see them through their driving journey.

We asked Members how much they would support New Zealand adopting similar measures.

We found that :

  • 7 out of 10 Members support strengthening fines and penalties for learner drivers caught driving dangerously. 
  • Currently, learner drivers who are 20 have the same alcohol limiit as fully qualified drivers.  8 out of 10 Member support changing this so that all learner drivers have a zero-blood alcohol limit. 
  • Around 7 out of 10 Members support learner drivers being able to progress to their Full licence faster if they got no demerits.
Member support for strengthening fines and penalties for learner drivers
Members support strengthening learne licence conditions
Incentives could encourage learner drivers to drive safely
 “For learners, carrot rather than stick approach, mostly equal with other drivers but added incentives better than persecuting just them.”
“I think we need to be tougher with the learner and restricted drivers so that once you become a fully licences driver it's more ingrained to err on the side of caution”
  I like the same thinking as Australia with their young people. Money is the obvious thing that hurts young people, their freedom to drive and their freedom to make choices is depleted when fines are installed"

Learner drivers breaching licence conditions is unsafe

We wanted to understand  how Members viewed the licence conditions for learner drivers. 

We found that the majority of Members thought that a learner driver breaching their licence condition was unsafe. 

  • 8 out of 10 think it is unsafe to drive when unlicensed.
  • 7 out of 10  think driving without a qualified supervisor while on a learners licence is unsafe.
  • 7 out of 10 think driving with passengers without a qualified supervisor in the front seat is unsafe. 
  • Just over half (55%) think it is unsafe those on Restricted licences to drive after 10pm.
Breaching licence conditions
Members think breaching learner licence conditions is unsafe
Learners breaching licence conditions is seen as common
“One of the biggest issues I see is that young people are driving outside of the learner or restricted license rules. I don't see this being monitored and leads to more people in the car than they should which in turn increases peer pressure to break the road rules”

The justice system should focus on treating and preventing drink driving

We wanted to understand Members' views on responding to drink driving.

We found that:

  • 9 of 10 Members support the discretion to refer drink drivers who offend more than once to rehabiliation.
  • Around 8 out of 10 Members think that drivers should get an interlock installed on their vehicle on their first drink driving offence. An interlock is a device that requires drivers to pass a breath test before their vehicle can be started.

Drivers' circumstances need to be taken into account for driving infringements

We wanted to know whether AA Members supported alternative penalties for people on low or no income.

We found that:

  •  Around 7 out of 10 Members support the discretion for those on low or no income to have their situation taken into account when assigning fines and penalties. This includes alternatives such as demerits only, or attending a road safety programme. 
Member support for strengthening fines and penalties for repeat offenders
Member support for increasing fines and penalties for repeat offenders
Fines disproportionately hurt the poor
"Fines unfairly impact lower socio-economic groups”
“There are problems with setting fines that may be devastating for low income families but are a joke for wealthy individuals that have no dependants”
Alternative penalties are more effective than fines at discouraging unsafe driving
"They are ineffective if drivers are unable to pay. There must be some penalty which does not discourage offenders, but registers that behaviour is unacceptable and protects other road users”
 “Some people just can't afford fines- and in NZ it is very difficult to manage life without a car. So we need to find better ways to encourage compliance rather than adding debt burdens to poor people”
Fines can result in high debt that it is impossible to pay off
 “I'm concerned that fines attract extra penalties, and people who will never be able to pay end up with large debts, leading to hopelessness and lack of interest in being part of the law abiding public”

About the unsafe driving fines and penalties surveys

Two surveys were conducted in early 2025 with the AA Member Voices Panel to understand Members’ experience with fines and penalties for unsafe driving, and their views on what updates are needed. 

The first survey concentrated on rates of unsafe driving. It had a response rate of 58% (n=2,327 out of 4,036 Members sent the survey). The margin of error of was 1% at the 95% confidence 

The second survey focussed on how Members think the fines and penalties system could be improved. The response rate was 66% (n=2,645).  The margin of error of was 1% at the 95% confidence.

Results have been weighted to reflect the AA Membership (ie. where we had fewer females participate than the AA Member proportion, we statistically adjusted the results for accuracy).

 

AA Member survey results help guide the AA's position and advocacy on issues when we are responding to potential changes by authorities, and also to promote our own ideas for improving transport. 

The AA's positions are formed considering survey results, evidence from research, our own policy analysis, and the views of AA District Councils from across New Zealand.

Media contact and further information

  • For media enquiries, please contact the AA Manager of Research, Safety & Communications Dylan Thomsen, +64 4 931 9991
  • For information about the survey or further results, get in touch with our team at membervoices@aa.co.nz