The Merafong City Public Safety department has embarked on a roadblock campaign to ensure that outstanding fines are paid.
According to them, there has been a steady decline in the payment of fines for traffic offences over the past few years. The total amount owing to the Merafong City Local Municipality for infringements now stands at R4, 523, 150. The operation will continue until the non-payment problem has been satisfactorily addressed.
Since the beginning of the campaign, 327 fines have been paid and there are still 9 402 warrants of arrests outstanding.
The purpose of vehicle and traffic fines is to curb dangerous driving on our roads, ensure that vehicles are roadworthy and to ensure the safety of the public using our roads. “If motorists do not pay the fines issued to them, fines no longer serve as a deterrent for dangerous driving and other traffic offences,” the department argues. It cautions that motorists with outstanding fines can, in fact, be arrested and be expected to explain to the Court why the fines have not been paid.
During the road blocks, vehicles will also be checked for roadworthiness and the validity of the driver’s licence.
Where the driver is not the owner of the vehicle with outstanding fines, the owner will have to come and make the necessary payment arrangements on site before the vehicle will be released.
The public safety and security department’s call centre focuses on recouping all outstanding traffic fines. Through this facility, it has been able to contact 50 percent of motorists with outstanding fines. These can be paid either at the traffic department or Oberholzer Magistrates’ Court, both of which are open between 08:00 and 15:00; at Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers and the Post Office. The department is busy establishing a pay point for traffic fines at Fochville’s public safety office. Until then, Fochville motorists are urged to pay their fines at the Fochville Magistrates’ Court.
Motorists can also make use of the following website: www.viewyourfines.com, enter the number plates of their vehicle or their identity numbers in their correct places for the search to view their outstanding traffic fines.
Motorists are requested to update their personal details when renewing their vehicle licences or paying outstanding fines.
