Government Senator Walton Brown admitted he had "a number" of unpaid parking tickets — but still supported higher parking fines imposed by new Government legislation.

In the Upper House on Monday, Sen. Brown said: "I have a number of parking tickets. It is not because of the disregard for the law."

The Senator said that sometimes he may be sitting in a meeting and must decide whether to move his car or deal with the parking ticket fine. He said he would choose the latter. "Like a number of other people I have not made it a priority to pay these outstanding fines, but this legislation will help ensure that it gets paid, like it should do," he said.

He was speaking on the Traffic Offences Procedure Amendment Act 2010, which was passed on Monday.

Opposition Sen. Michael Dunkley said, the Island had developed a "culture" for not paying parking tickets and it was something people needed to work to change and applauded the Act 2010, which was passed by the Senate.

According to Senator Marc Bean, the amendments will ensure that offenders pay their fines in a timely manner. The price of parking violations would be raised from $50 to $75 if the penalty is paid within 14 days of the issued date. what is the payment deadline now?

The price would go up to $100 if paid after 14 days but before a trial date is set for the offence; and to $150 for a fine on summary conviction should the matter proceed to trial.

Sen. Bean said: "An added incentive to pay parking tickets is prescribed, that is, a vehicle licence shall not be issued or reissued where the owner of the vehicle has unpaid parking fines when attending the Transport Control Department."

Sen. Suzann Roberts Holshouser said it was "totally irresponsible" for someone to disregard their traffic fines.

She said: "If at one point in time you get a parking ticket you have a responsibility to pay it."

She said the tier system would be "well received" by the public and was also hopeful people would "pay attention and not need to use it".

The UBP Senator said: "We are pleased to see this legislation come forward and hopefully people will understand it is not their right, it's their privilege to be on the road."

Independent Senator Walwyn Hughes also praised the amendments and said: "It's amazing this has not been done years ago because it seems like a no brainer."

He did however, question if such laws would discourage people from licencing their vehicle in the first place.

Attorney General and Senator Kim Wilson, said the "law will catch up" with people who have outstanding tickets.