The Daily Advertiser office has received numerous calls from members of the public this week complaining they had been slugged with a fine for having their vehicle’s plates obscured.

Wagga Local Area Command Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Wayne McLachlan said the police took into consideration the wet weather and the difficulties some residents faced, such as farmers and tradespeople, who would have to negotiate muddy roads regularly.

“Mud splatter is not a major issue,” Sergeant McLachlan said.

“But if there are clumps on your number plates that makes it impossible (for police) to read, it is the driver’s responsibility to scrape it off to display the plates correctly.”

Sergeant McLachlan said tow balls covering number plates or even people putting black tape on the plate to alter the lettering were more serious issues and were more likely to attract the wrath of police.

Tootool farmer Katherine Flinn has to drive along three kilometres of muddy terrain to leave her property.

She was pulled over by police for a breath test and was rapped over the knuckles by police about her number plates being unreadable.

“I’m glad they only gave me a warning, but other friends have been fined,” Ms Flinn said. “They have got to have a bit of leeway at this time of the year.”

The mother of three feared she might not be so lucky if a different officer pulled her over next time.

“It’s really at the discretion of the police officer,” she said.

“Everyone accepts it is against the law, but for the poor people living on the land cleaning the plates is difficult.”

Ms Flinn said it would cost around $35,000 to put gravel on her driveway, and didn’t want to fork out $10 to a car wash every time she needed to go into town, adding her friends wouldn’t appreciate her washing mud off on their properties.