It looks like the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Amendment Act (Aarto) will rule with the iron fist that Sanral never managed to. According to the letter of the law, this recently-introduced legislation will now cost drivers up to R500 if they continue to ignore their payments for e-tolls.
The much-maligned and poorly-perceived project has been the subject of ire from all motorists of Gauteng, with around 75% of motorists refusing to pay their toll fees. The gantries were meant to rake in the money, but instead, non-compliance has plunged Sanral into billions of rands worth of debt.
E-tolls: The plan to start fining non-compliant drivers
Both the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) and the Organisation for Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) have strongly rallied against the implementation of e-tolls, and subsequent efforts to get drivers to pay up. Now, as outlined by DA representative Fred Nel, it seems that there will be more upheaval to come.
Nel is also the Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport in Gauteng. He explains that the Aarto bill plans to fine motorists for every gantry they drive through and refuse to pay for. This, for a large number of drivers in the province, could lead to a disastrous amount of fines piling up – and it’s bad news for businesses, too.
It looks like the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Amendment Act (Aarto) will rule with the iron fist that Sanral never managed to. According to the letter of the law, this recently-introduced legislation will now cost drivers up to R500 if they continue to ignore their payments for e-tolls.
The much-maligned and poorly-perceived project has been the subject of ire from all motorists of Gauteng, with around 75% of motorists refusing to pay their toll fees. The gantries were meant to rake in the money, but instead, non-compliance has plunged Sanral into billions of rands worth of debt.
E-tolls: The plan to start fining non-compliant drivers
Both the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) and the Organisation for Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) have strongly rallied against the implementation of e-tolls, and subsequent efforts to get drivers to pay up. Now, as outlined by DA representative Fred Nel, it seems that there will be more upheaval to come.
Nel is also the Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport in Gauteng. He explains that the Aarto bill plans to fine motorists for every gantry they drive through and refuse to pay for. This, for a large number of drivers in the province, could lead to a disastrous amount of fines piling up – and it’s bad news for businesses, too.
“This law is putting businesses at risk as truck drivers working for small businesses could lose their jobs – their licences will be suspended for three years if fines are not paid. During the suspension period, a driver will not be allowed to renew their vehicle licence disc, driving licence card or professional driving permit.”
“The Act is just another way to force motorist to pay for e-tolls. What is clear is that the residents are not prepared to pay for e-tolls and we cannot have a situation where motorists are fined for something which they were not consulted on in the first place.”
Fred Nel
