The man who was issued two speeding fines 19 years after they occurred has had them waived, with the ACT Government flagging merged Access Canberra accounts as the likely reason for the delayed correspondence. Photo: Robert Scott/edited.
The ACT Government has blamed the merging of multiple Access Canberra accounts and changes to details for traffic fines being reissued years after the infringements occurred.
Robert Scott is one of many who have said they have received fines years after the infringements occurred.
Earlier this week, Mr Scott received two fines totalling $327 for speeding infringements committed in 2007. Confused, Mr Scott applied to have the fines waived due to the 19-year gap between the infringements and the notice.
Mr Scott confirmed on Thursday morning (10 September) that Access Canberra had waived both fines.
Region asked Access Canberra how fines can be issued for offences almost two decades after the infringement.
An ACT spokesperson said they could not speak specifically to Mr Scott’s case, but instead highlighted the two main reasons that notices may be severely delayed.
“When a customer updates their address, or renews their driver licence with Access Canberra, the vehicle registration system can automatically reissue any pending notices or correspondence for that individual, and when two customer accounts are merged, the system can again be prompted to reissue any pending notices or correspondence,” a spokesperson said.
“A person may have duplicate client accounts or client records, one of which is often historical. The identification of duplicate client accounts often arises when an individual engages with Access Canberra and Access Canberra identifies the duplicate.”
The ACT Government said that in these circumstances, Access Canberra will normally reach out to the individual in question to clarify the issue and how to address the infringement.
“The merging of a client account includes a review of any outstanding or pending matters for that individual,” the spokesperson said.
“Access Canberra staff will usually discuss any outstanding notices or other relevant history with the individual at that time.”
Despite the policy to reach out to individuals first, the ACT Government said the system still reissues notices on occasion.
“However, even when these discussions occur, the merging of a historic account with a current profile updates contact information which, in certain circumstances, prompts the system to reissue correspondence. Generally, there are processes in place to catch this type of reissuing of correspondence before it occurs.”
When asked whether a statute of limitations applies to when infringement notices can be issued, the ACT Government said it varies depending on the offence.
“Access Canberra’s compliance and enforcement activities are governed by a range of legislative timeframes, which vary depending on the relevant offence and legislation,” a spokesperson said.
“Access Canberra encourages any person who receives an outdated notice to contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81.”
