The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) wants to raise the payment levels of traffic fines from an average of 33% to 60% within the next few years, the Star reported on Wednesday.
Measures include establishing a special squad to trace the top 100 offenders.
”We will be visiting them undercover in their offices to nab them if necessary,” said JMPD director Gerrie Gernecke.
In addition, motorists are now receiving fines with photographs of the vehicles involved attached to the offence notice.
The JMPD has also introduced an online system of paying fines called Payfine, whereby motorists can view their fines and make direct payment.
Another step is the installation of automatic number plate-recognition machines at roadblocks. Motorists who have outstanding fines, those driving ”cloned” vehicles or those with ”stagnant fines”, or fines with false addresses, will be identified, Gernecke said.
Three machines are currently operational at roadblocks and another three are set to be introduced in the next few months.
Gernecke said motorists would be able to pay their fines at roadblocks with debit or credit cards, or in cash. If they have no money with them, they will be arrested.
He said all the paperwork was being done at the roadblock, including the issuing of the warrants of arrest. A clerk of the court would apparently be at the roadblocks.
Gernecke said the SMS system introduced last year, whereby motorists paid R5 a month to be advised of traffic fines, had been discontinued from June 13.
The website for fine payments is www.payfine.co.za – Sapa