Australian motorists fined £216 for failing to lock their cars

Run_to_da_hills

"In a move that has been branded cruel and over-the-top by drivers, officers in the Yarra Ranges north east of Melbourne have warned careless car owners that they will be fined $358 (£216) if they don't properly secure their vehicles.

The police have introduced the fine in an attempt to slow the spiralling number of car break-ins".

Anyone that doesn’t lock their car deserves what they get anyway. I would have no problem with cops fining someone that leave their keys in their ignition or their cars ticking over unattended as this encourages opportunist joy riders. For someone making frequent deliveries it could be a bit heavy handed.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7735059/Australian-motorists-fined-216-for-failing-to-lock-their-cars.html

Cookie_Monster

so police will go around checking car doors are locked?

Sounds like a good use of their time.

Run_to_da_hills

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

so police will go around checking car doors are locked?

Sounds like a good use of their time.

I would say more so for collecting a few extra bob when someone files a report that their car was broken into. Cops may inspect the car for proof of a break in.

keithclancy

F*ck sake ..

Some neighbourhoods your better off leaving it unlocked as they'll just smash a window or rip out the lock to get in ..

Or worse bend the door open.

no1beemerfan

Reminds me of a time in the 70's when my uncle had a car he couldn't sell so he drove into Cork city and parked it up with the keys in the ignition hoping it'd get robbed. Went back a week later and it was still there!

Berty

How do you break into a car that unlocked?

You'd want to be some dumb criminal.

R.O.R

Isn't it already illegal in Ireland? Seem to remember NGA posting something along those lines recently.

If it's a delivery driver, they can always get timed slam locks fitted to the vehicle. Auto locks after 20 seconds or so - just need to make sure you have the keys with you when you get out!

MagicSean

R.O.R wrote: »

Isn't it already illegal in Ireland? Seem to remember NGA posting something along those lines recently.

If it's a delivery driver, they can always get timed slam locks fitted to the vehicle. Auto locks after 20 seconds or so - just need to make sure you have the keys with you when you get out!

Its an offence to leave your keys in the ignition unattended. I don't know the statute though.

ShadowHearth

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

so police will go around checking car doors are locked?

Sounds like a good use of their time.

i ctually thought the same thing...