POLICE IN NEW SOUTH WALES have vowed to cease issuing on-the-spot traffic fines for a week, as part of a protest against a new wage deal that they say is unfair.

As a result, motorists caught speeding and otherwise flouting road rules won’t be hit with an instant fine, but simply cautioned at the discretion of police officers.

Those caught speeding excessively also won’t be given on-the-spot fines (which are cheaper to administer), but instead sent before the courts (which ties the courts up and is expensive for the ‘crown’).

The NSW Police Association says the fine-free week will last until 6pm on Tuesday, July 15, and that it hopes the sudden evaporation in revenue from fines will prompt the state government to revise its proposed wage changes. By their estimates, the week-long industrial action will cost the state coffers approximately $2 million in lost revenue.

The current pay plan put forward by the NSW Government gives police officers a 4 percent wage increase, but removes salaries for injured officers and strips them of shift, uniform, death and disability allowances.

Negotiations between the Police Association and the NSW Government have reportedly broken down, however both parties are still actively pursuing a compromise agreement. In the meantime the industrial action being taken by the police may tempt NSW drivers to drive a little faster than they otherwise would, however in the interests of road safety TMR implores those using NSW roads to be sensible and stick to the limit.