When we looked back weekly in the AutoWeek from exactly thirty years ago, we came across an interesting list. The traffic fines that were adjusted just before the beginning of 1992. That gives a nice insight into what we lost thirty years ago.
In the Netherlands we are relatively expensive when it comes to traffic fines. Undoubtedly, many can speak about this from experience. Fines have been rising for years, although some reductions have also been made for this year. For example, the fines for making unnecessary noise, standing unnecessarily in a disabled parking space and hindering bus or tram passengers getting out are lower than before. Fines for telephone use have been tightened and fines for speeding have also increased again.
A look at the fines that applied in 1992 shows that even then you could lose quite a bit if you went wrong, although of course it was a lot less than now.
Fines were increased at the end of 1991, sometimes significantly. In the above overview from AutoWeek 2 of 1992 you can see the differences between the old and the ‘new’ situation. Fines of hundreds of guilders were therefore certainly not strange to us at the time. What is also striking is that there were broader categories for speeding violations at the time. Nowadays there is a fine to the nearest kilometre, where it then increased in steps of five km/h and you even lost a fixed amount up to 14 km/h.
We put some fines from 1992 next to those of today and also use the inflation calculator to get an idea of ​​the proportions.
| Offence | 1992 (guilder) | 1992 (in euros with inflation adjustment) | 2022 |
| 14 km/h too fast | fl 50 | €41.50 | €131/€126 (inside/outside built-up areas) |
| 20 km/h too fast | fl 100 | €82.99 | €200/€192 |
| 25 km/h too fast | fl 150 | €124.49 | €272/€257 |
| 30 km/h too fast | fl 200 | €165.99 | €352/€335 |
| Do not indicate a direction | fl 50 | €41.50 | €100 |
| Ignore traffic light | fl 100 | €82.99 | €250/€150 (red/green) |
| Do not give priority | fl 150 | €124.49 | €250 |
| Faulty license plate | fl 100 | €82.99 | €150 |
Just a few examples, in which the total picture becomes clear in any case. Although it is always a bit difficult to compare with amounts from so long ago and in a currency that had been defunct twenty years ago, you can cautiously conclude that we have lost roughly double or more compared to thirty years ago. And then you are no longer even pushed aside by such a beautiful Porsche 911 of the National Police. But hey, avoiding a fine is better anyway.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl