New penalty blocks: A coin will suffice to verify authenticity

Last update: 11.08.2020 15:30

The Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic presented a proposal for new penalty blocks. This is a new generation of blocks, which for the first time will receive protective security elements to prevent their counterfeiting. For example, drivers who are fined for an offense will simply be able to verify on the spot that the penalty block is genuine. The proposal is currently in the final stages of approval. The new penalty blocks should start using this year.

The new penalty blocks will have several security features, through which not only the fine, but especially the fine, will be able to verify whether the block is genuine or not.

The first protective element is the graphic processing itself. Each block contains a graphic part, which consists of high-resolution security graphics. The graphics are made up of, among other things, so-called microtexts.

A complete novelty is the use of a special detection color. People who receive a fine will be able to verify the authenticity of the block on the spot. The color reacts to the metal. Therefore, if you pass through the colored part of a block (snippet), for example, with a coin or another metal object, it will change color in the given graphic part.

"This is a new generation of penalty blocks, which is a breakthrough, especially in terms of safety. While until now the blocks were only minimally protected, after the new one a number of protective elements will be added to them and their falsification will be almost impossible. In addition, we involve the fined themselves in the whole process, who can verify the authenticity of the penalty block on the spot, "said State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Marcel Klimek.

Although the penalty blocks will have all the mentioned protective elements, the costs of their production will be comparable to the current ones.

The Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic is the issuer of fine blocks for all state and self-governing bodies that may impose fines in block proceedings. The new blocks will be used, for example, by police officers, general police, labor inspectorates or environmental inspectorates.

Press department
Ministry of Finance of the SR