Traffic fines no longer part of Security and Justice budget

The lower house of parliament on Thursday accepted a motion that stipulates that the Ministry of Security and Justice will no longer get income from traffic fines. Instead the Ministry will get a fixed amount of income, NOS reports. The motion was filed by VVD leader Halbe Zijlstra and PvdA leader Diederik Samsom following reports that police officers write out extra fines to fill holes in the budget. The governing coalition wants to give a signal that traffic fines are there "to ensure and increase road safety". According to them, "the current system" may give a different impression. Minister Ard van der Steur of Security and Justice is pleased with the development. "The Kamer made a clear statement and that means that for my ministry this hazard disappears", he said to broadcaster NOS.