Province to seize property from speeding scofflaws

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THE CANADIAN PRESS

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EDMONTON - Alberta is putting thousands of deadbeat drivers in its high-beams in a bid to recoup $126 million in unpaid traffic tickets.

The government is promising to take tough action, including seizing wages, bank accounts and even property of the speeding scofflaws.

There are now more than 650,000 unpaid traffic tickets in Alberta, according to the government. The worst offenders have as many as 50 tickets that they're simply ignoring.

The Justice Ministry is warning drivers who don't pay their outstanding fines that they won't be able to register their vehicle or renew their driver's licence.

Sgt. Barry Maron of the Edmonton police was shocked to learn how many tickets have gone unpaid. "I would suggest that $126 million is a great deal of money."

The Justice Department has always had the option of seizing wages, tax refunds, GST rebates and money from banks, but these tactics are rarely used.

A pilot project that began two years ago was highly successful when the province targeted 50,000 unpaid tickets and got payments totalling nearly $5 million.