EDMONTON, Alta. — The province of Alberta is about to dramatically increase the cost of traffic fines for the second time in just over a year.

Ministry of Transportation officials say the move is intended to make the province’s roads safer, but even safety advocates disagree with the methodology.

“Fines, by themselves, may not have that effect,” Emile Therien, president of the Canada Safety Council tells local media.

In all, 95 per cent of the fineable offences will now carry steeper financial penalties, but only one offence will result in more demerits.

“It seems rather odd that they would increase fines across the board and not the demerits that go with them,” John Carpay, Alberta director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, tells local media.

The last hike of provincial traffic fines averaged 20 per cent and resulted in a further $13-million for the province. This time, many of the fines have doubled or tripled. Some of the fines to increase include: Driving without a licence, doubled to $200; not wearing seatbelt, up from $60 to $100; 10 km-h over speed limit, up from $56 to $68.