Non-payment of e-tolls as a traffic violation is slammed
OUTA urges the public to participate, as the amendments are impractical and infringe on the motoring public’s rights to defend themselves
The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) has slammed new amendments to the soon-to-be demerit licensing system, saying that attempts to include the non-payment of e-tolls as a traffic violation was flawed.
In a statement issued on Sunday night, OUTA said the department of transport published a Gazette notice (#39482) on December 7 which requests comment from the public before the closing date of January 6.
The main purpose of this change is to accommodate the inclusion of outstanding e-Toll bills into the normal traffic fine and violations process.
“OUTA urges the public to participate, as the amendments are impractical and infringe on the motoring public’s rights to defend themselves from an unworkable processes, if the proposed amendments to the regulations are approved,” the organisation said.
“OUTA believes, however, that the modification to the infringement notice process through the use of a new form (AARTO 03e), is flawed in many respects as it is designed to include multiple infringement entries being included onto a single page, seemingly to assist SANRAL in trying to treat the non-payment of e-tolls as a traffic violation.
“By doing so, the entire infringement notification process becomes impractical and almost un-administrable,” Wayne Duvenage, OUTA’s chairman, said.
“This new form is flawed in that it does not provide proof that the driver’s vehicle was at the scene of the incident noted, as there is no photograph provided for each and every infringement listed. There is also an absence of a unique reference number or magisterial district listed per incident, which is required for dispute resolution purposes.”
OUTA said it was not surprising this took place over the holiday period.
