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Summarised by Centrist
A record 538,192 speeding fines were issued by police in 2025 as enforcement is being deliberately ramped up, and officials are now openly discussing making penalties even harsher.
Police say they have “boosted enforcement” in recent years and are making their intentions plain. Inspector Peter McKennie said, “The messaging from police has been very clear that if you exceed the speed limit, you can expect to be stopped.”
The number of officer-issued fines has surged from 402,000 in 2023 to 461,000 in 2024 and then to 538,192 last year, the highest total recorded in the police data going back to 2009.
The fines brought in $54.2 million, with the average penalty sitting at about $100. The figures do not include stationary or mobile speed camera tickets, only those issued directly by officers.
McKennie claims, “Speed is globally recognised as the leading contributor to crashes occurring and the severity of outcome.”
AA road safety spokesman Dylan Thomsen said the current crackdown may be only the beginning.
Thomsen says fine levels are “stuck in the last century” because they were set in 1999 and have not changed since. Thomsen said that “as a starting point”, an inflation adjustment would effectively mean a doubling of where they are now.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop has already said he agrees fines are too low, and officials are reviewing the penalties.
Read more over at The NZ Herald
Image: Michael Fawcett
