Tourist flees fines

Photo: Peeter Langovits

With help from debt collection company Julianus Inkasso, city of Tartu hopes to be able to forward parking fine claims all the way to citizens of Latvia, Lithuania and Finland – who, up to now, have felt quite comfortable with unpaid parking. 

For the first two months of 2013 only, parking fines have been filed for 75 vehicles with foreign number plates. Last year totalled 274 such judgements (60 of those paid), the year before had 177 (30).

Lion’s share of unpaid parking is done by vehicles with Russian, Finnish and Latvian number plates. Lithuanian, UK, Polish, German and other plates are fewer.

Some vehicles are linked with multiple fines. In city government’s estimation, the owners feel above the law as the city has no way of identifying the owners or authorised users of the foreign vehicles.

Fines are issued, as tasked with by city government, by AS Ühisteenused. They come in three copies. One for the official, one attached to vehicle or handed to driver on spot. The third is to be forwarded and applied for compulsory execution by city government.

However, if city officials cannot identify owner or authorised user of a vehicle, they have no one to claim the money from.

Now, city government sees a solution in entering into public law contracts with Julianus Inkasso and its partners in Lithuania, Latvia and Finland, for those to forward the third copy of claimed fine to car owners or users registered in their countries.

As explained by Tartu deputy mayor Raimond Tamm, countries are chosen by where Julianus Inkasso is represented.

Entering the contracts needs confirmation by city council, and the draft was forwarded to the latter prior Easter.

For each fine judgement forwarded, Julianus Inkasso wants €2 plus VAT. Parking fines in Tartu, depending on infringement, come from €3.83 to €30.68.

Is the measure aimed at filling the city coffers? Or, rather, at disciplining parking offenders?

«All told, every cent matters for city. In a shorter period of time, the amount might not look significant. However, as the years pass, it might be [significant],» said Mr Tamm. «In terms of city budget, it surely won’t be too weighty, I wouldn’t dare specify any amount.»

Mr Tamm had no way of knowing, whether the foreigners ignore parking rules out of spite or haughtiness, or rather out of ignorance, not being explained the Tartu parking order. «Right now, we also have the problem of no feedback. Basically: whatever lies behind the borders, is for us a land of the unknown,» said Mr Tamm.

Fines

• This January and February in Tartu, fines have been issued to 75 vehicles with foreign number plates. Last year, 274. The year before that: 177.

• Most of these were vehicles with Russian, Finnish and Latvian number plates, with a few Lithuanian, UK, Polish, German or other plates included.

• Some vehicles are linked to multiple offences.