The FF Plus condemns the exorbitant e-toll fines proposed in the latest Aarto regulations.
These fines could have the same damaging impact as a second wave of Covid-19 infections in Gauteng seeing as the highways form the economic heartbeat of the province and South Africa on the whole. The fines will deter people from using the highways altogether.
Amid rumours of a second wave of Covid-19 infections possibly hitting the province, the government is creating its own crisis by proposing fines that could be the final nail in the coffin for the province's finances.
Therefore, the FF Plus considers the proposed fines utterly reckless and the party demands that they must be withdrawn immediately.
In addition, the FF Plus also views the fines as unconstitutional. The main aim of Aarto legislation is to promote road traffic safety and using Aarto to administrate e-toll fines is, thus, inappropriate and extremely opportunist.
The new Aarto regulations propose excessively high fines of up to R500 per e-toll bridge for unpaid e-toll fees plus an additional R100 administration fee per notice sent.
As a result, covering only a small distance in Gauteng will become unaffordable for most and it will inevitably bring about an economic disaster. What makes these regulations even more dangerous is the fact that not paying Aarto fines could mean that an individual will not be allowed apply for or renew his / her licences.
That may force road users to drive around unlicensed which will, in turn, have a negative impact on vehicle insurance.
It is an absolute shame that the Gauteng ANC government is still unable to sway the national government to abolish the e-toll system despite its own apparent opposition to the e-toll system.
The FF Plus considers the e-toll system to be totally illegitimate and demands that it must be abolished before it causes any more economic damage.
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