Driver with $17,000 in EVR fines ponders appeal
By Elizabeth Roberts
A disabled driver who racked up $17,750 in fines after repeatedly getting caught by the Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) system is considering his own appeal after the precedent-setting Richard Cox case yesterday.
Nelson Pearman told Magistrates' Court last month that he knew his vehicle was not licensed and that he had no third party insurance, but he spent his money instead on visiting his dying grandmother.
The 26-year-old, of Bandroom Lane, Pembroke, said he suffered from a back condition which meant he was unable to use public transport and had continued to drive his own vehicle.
As reported elsewhere in today's edition of this newspaper, Justice Ian Kawaley said yesterday that Cox, who racked up $19,250 for driving through EVR detectors eleven times, was punished excessively and should only have to pay $4,875.
The appeal was the first since the new technology was rolled out on July 1 to snare unlicensed and uninsured motorists, and could pave the way for motorists like Pearman to mount their own legal challenges, citing the precedent set. Yesterday, Pearman revealed that part of his punishment has already been revoked and he is now thinking of appealing the rest.
"They had to drop the fines (for no licence) because I don't pay TCD fees because of my disability. Right now it's $9,000 that I owe. I don't know if I should appeal but if this case has been successful then maybe I should," he told The Royal Gazette. "Nine thousand dollars is not something I can just come up with overnight. It puts you a couple of steps behind."
