Fines clock up as truck ban kicks in

Anna Cox NUMEROUS TRUCK drivers have already been fined R500 for not adhering to lanes, or overtaking during peak times, following a recent truck ban imposed by the Gauteng Province during peak hours. Gauteng transport MEC spokesperson, Sizwe Matshikiza, said the issuing of fines started on September 20. The numbers varied from day to day ranging from 63 to 33 a day. There were signs that the drivers were starting to take heed of the restrictions, he said, as the number of fines appeared to be dropping. The ban restricts heavy goods vehicles to the left lane of designated highways from 07:00 to 09:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00. The trucks are prohibited from overtaking. The ban applies only to heavy goods vehicles of five tons and above. Buses and light delivery vehicles are not affected. The ban is aimed at reducing heavy congestion on the roads which costs the country R1,5 billion a year. Affected highways are: l the R59 between South Rand Road and the R550; l the N1 between the R553 and R558 towards the Grasmere Toll Plaza; the l N3 between the R23 and Grey Avenue; l the N1 between the M19 and New Road; l the R21 between the M31 and Voortrekker Road; the N14 between Jean Avenue and the R511; l the N12 between the M37 (Van Riebeeck Avenue and the R51; and the N17 between the Gosforth Toll Plaza and Heidelberg Road.} Matshikiza said the ban had been imposed in line with international trends in cities such as London where a fee of £80 is levied for trucks entering the city. A closed circuit television camera system monitors the trucks' number plates as they enter the city.