The surprising number of Aussies fined in the last year revealed

New research has revealed just how many Australian drivers have been hit with traffic fines or infringement notices in the last year, with almost one in five drivers penalised for breaking the rules.

That equates to approximately 3.5 million motorists, according to the latest research commissioned by Money.com.au, with the most common offences being parking or speeding violations.

Using a mobile phone behind the wheel was another big one, while late fees for missing toll payment deadlines were just as common.

Breaking it down by state, drivers in Western Australia were caught speeding more frequently, with 16 per cent of drivers in the west hit with a speeding ticket in the last 12 months. In contrast, NSW drivers were the least likely to be caught speeding, with just 4% hit with a speeding fine.

Parking fines were also popular for those in WA (13%), while South Australians were the least likely to receive a parking infringement (4%).

That said, most Aussies either did the right thing or simply didn’t get caught doing the wrong thing, with 86% of Aussies managing to avoid fines in the last 12 months.

However, for those who were caught, the associated fines were high.

Across the nation, the average fine for getting caught using a mobile fine behind the wheel was $452, while the average speeding fine was $333. Late fees for unpaid toll charges averaged $202, while parking fines averaged $142.

Sean Callery from Money.com.au said the financial penalties associated with traffic fines highlight the importance of safe driving and the potential impact on household budgets.

“There are plenty of important reasons to drive safely, not least of which is obeying road rules, but the potential financial impact is a significant factor too,” he said.

“Depending on the state, you could face fines of $1000 or more for using your phone, while penalties for serious speeding offences can be even higher.

“While traffic fines can be costly, there are ways to reduce their impact on your household budget. Many states, territories, and local councils (depending on who issued the fine) offer payment plans for road or traffic fines over a certain amount, allowing you to spread the cost over time. You can also often request a payment extension without incurring additional penalties.”

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