Drivers now set to be fined R500 for every e-toll gantry they pass under without paying

A warning that truck drivers will also have Aarto demerit points stack up, which will rapidly leave them unable to work has been issued by the Democratic Alliance.

The Citizen published an article on Sunday, 25 August, where the DA warned that under the new Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Amendment Act (AARTO) laws, motorists stand to be fined a small fortune if they opt not to pay for e-tolls.

The unpopular system has been subject to large-scale civil disobedience, with vehicle owners protesting that the e-tolls system was implemented without proper consultation and with the bulk of the money going towards maintaining the gantry system itself and overseas companies, instead of for actually funding highway improvements.

The Aarto law appeared to indicate that an operator class vehicle would be fined R500 for every e-toll gantry it passed through without paying the e-toll.

“This means that the driver will lose one demerit point for a fine of R500.”

The implementation of the law will put businesses at risk as truck drivers working for businesses could lose their jobs because their licences would be suspended for three years if the fines are not paid.

During the suspension period or while a single enforcement order is in place, the driver would not be allowed to renew a vehicle licence disc, driving licence card and professional driving permit.

“Motorists driving a light motor vehicle, however, will not lose any points but will be fined R250 for every gantry they pass without paying e-tolls.”

This is a plea to the President that the implementation of the Aarto Act should be postpone until the matter pertaining to the e-toll system has been finalised.