Tata traffic fines

2004-02-11 14:49

Theuns van der Westhuizen

Cape Town - Motorists with unpaid traffic fines dating back to before January 2001 could be in the clear if the Cape Metropole goes ahead with plans to write off the tickets.

But those with unpaid fines dating from January 2001 have been warned that their time is running out. Ultramodern, electronic systems and computer-supported camera equipment will be used to track them down.

Meanwhile, Cape Town city council's finance portfolio committee was on Tuesday informed that the national transport department was considering linking outstanding fines to vehicle registration.

Cape Town metropolitan traffic chief Heathcliff Thomas said snowed-under courts couldn't possibly get round to processing all outstanding fines. However, with the help of the new Labat system, which gave traffic officials immediate access to motorists' outstanding fines, those dating back to January 2001 could still be processed.

Thomas said all fines prior to that date would probably be written off, he said.

Statistics showed that traffic fines of more than R120.2m were issued from July 1 to December 31 last year. About 17% of these fines totalling R20.4m, have already been paid.

Fines of up to R7.7m were withdrawn, which means fines totalling R92.1m were still outstanding.

About R450.75m in fines issued since June 30, 2002 were still outstanding.

- Die Burger