Suffolk County will boot and tow the cars of drivers who haven't paid for excessive amounts of red-light camera tickets and other violations, including parking tickets, starting at the end of August.

Paul Margiotta, executive director of the Suffolk Traffic and Parking Violations Agency, says the county is still working out the details, but the program will most likely target people with three or more past-due tickets or those who owe more than $5,000 in fines.

Margiotta says the move is more about safety than taking money from people or their cars.

"If we impose a high fine, it's for a deterrent," he says.

Margiotta says most cars would get a boot; towing would happen in extreme cases.

The boots will be self-releasing. You can call the number on it, pay your fine and get a release code. Then you can return the boot yourself or ask to have it picked up.

Margiotta says a vehicle will not be booted or towed on private property, but it could happen at public places like a shopping mall.

About 14,000 tickets were paid during Suffolk's amnesty window, which is now closed.