- 838 vehicles seized, 109 vehicles auctioned to recoup money owed to Queenslanders in 2024
- December is a high-risk period on our roads
- Fines play an important role to deter dangerous road behaviour
Luxury sports cars including Porsches, Ferraris and Lamborghinis are among a record 838 vehicles seized from fine dodgers by Queensland's State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) enforcement team in 2024.
SPER officers targeted fine defaulters across the state, including 94 seizures on the Gold Coast, 68 in Townsville and Cairns, and 31 in Central Queensland.
One southeast Queensland SPER operation for repeat non-payers saw more than 130 vehicles seized.
As the holiday period highlights the importance of road safety, speeding, red light and other driving offences remain among the most common offences committed by repeat SPER debtors.
SPER officers can clamp and seize vehicles and other property when debts are not paid.
Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership, David Janetzki, said SPER's enforcement actions were necessary when people continued to flout the road laws, endangering themselves and other innocent road users.
"Queenslanders expect that when people repeatedly endanger others on the roads and avoid paying their fines, they face the consequences," he said.
"At a time of year where we're reminded to slow down and drive to the conditions, it's important that those who refuse to do so, face tough action.
"Our government is committed to seeing that those people who do the wrong thing, rack up fines and put others in harm's way will face the consequences of their actions.
"If people refuse to pay their fines, they can expect that SPER officers will seize their vehicles and other property, including boats, trailers, motorbikes and jet skis to recover the money owed.
"I encourage anyone with a fine to do the right thing and pay it on time, otherwise our SPER officers will take the necessary steps to enforce the law.
"The best way to avoid fines is to not commit road offences in the first place."
2024 SPER field enforcement operations results:
- Seized 838 vehicles including luxury SUVs, high-spec utes, Teslas, Porsches, BMWs, a Ferrari, a Lamborghini and even a fishing boat.
- 109 vehicles sold at auction from owners who remained unwilling to pay their debts.
