Easter roadblocks: When can you be arrested for unpaid fines?
Unpaid traffic fines can result in arrest warrants that affect your ID. Here’s what to know before travelling this long weekend.
POLOKWANE – With the Easter weekend approaching, traffic on the roads are getting busier, and traffic officers are deployed to set up roadblocks on the main roads.
A roadblock can often feel like a nuisance, and motorists are likely to be annoyed at being stopped as they make their way to various destinations.
Most of the time, however, the officers are friendly, just taking a quick look at the driver’s licence, the car licence, and maybe scanning the inside of the car.
The website www.finessa.co.za issued a press release to inform drivers about their risks at a roadblock.
According to the press release, it is crucial to understand how warrants of arrest are linked to unpaid traffic fines and how they could impact you.
Keep in mind: For an arrest to happen, the official must have the warrant with them. You are not legally required to pay any fines that have not reached a warrant status on the spot.
What leads to a warrant of arrest?
A warrant of arrest is typically issued when traffic fines go unpaid and the court date on the summons is missed.
There are two types of traffic fines in South Africa:
1. A Section 56 Notice:
• This is issued by a traffic officer.
• It usually applies to moving violations.
• A court date is already set.
The offender signs this notice, acknowledging the scheduled court appearance.
2. Section 341 Traffic Ticket:
• This is sent by post for offences caught by traffic cameras.
• It becomes a summons if unpaid. If you ignore it, it evolves into a summons with a specified court date. Missing this date results in a warrant of arrest, along with an added contempt of court penalty.
The impact of a warrant of arrest on your ID:
Having a warrant of arrest linked to your ID can carry serious consequences:
• Administrative holds: An admin mark may be placed on your ID, blocking the renewal of your licence disk, card, and professional driving permit, as well as the change of ownership or registration of a vehicle.
• Risk during roadblocks: If pulled over at a roadblock with an active warrant, you could face immediate arrest or possible impounding of your vehicle.
