Road charges raised

By GYNNIE KERO
FINES for motorists ­breaching road rules have been increased to act as a deterrent, an official says.
In addition, the Road Transport Authority has also increased fees on services such as the issuing of a learner’s permit, renewing of a driving licence, registration of a motor vehicle, and the issuing of a certificate of roadworthiness and safety.
Authority’s acting manager registration and licensing Wilson Wariaka told The National that all the information on the fines and fees were on the Road Transport Authority official website.
He urged people to read them carefully as they were now in effect. They came into effect from last Friday. For example, a learner’s permit which used to cost K30 has gone up to K70.
The issuing or renewal of a driving licence has gone up from K20 per year to K70.
The registration or renewal of registration of a motor car with an engine capacity exceeding 4000cc has gone up to K920 from K400.
Wariaka said the increase in fines and fees were meant to force people to comply with traffic laws.
He urged vehicle owners and public transport operators to maintain their vehicles in good condition and stick to their designated routes to avoid being fined.
“The last time fees were revised was in 2006. The second time was in 2014 – it took longer for that to come into effect as we were working on rules and regulations,” he said.
He said there were two regulations – one for the fees and charges on driving licence, vehicle registration, and passenger transport licence. The second is on offences and penalties. It sets out the fines that enforcement officers can charge people who breach traffic laws.
“Fines have increased significantly. The intent there is deterrence. People have to comply with traffic laws,” he said.
He said the lowest fine one used to pay was K5. This has gone up to K100.
“Vehicles have to be in good condition, public transport operate on designated routes and carrying the right number of people,” he said.
He said there was also provisions to impound unlicenced vehicles.
“Taxis illegally operating will be impounded. They (owners) will pay storage fees. If they don’t come and claim within the same month, we can auction the vehicles,” he said.
He said 30 officers were currently undergoing training to enforce the road rules.
“They will clean up the public transport system as their first task.”
For municipalities outside Port Moresby, the authority will coordinate with provinces and delegate powers to them to carry out the authority’s functions.
“Right now we are trying to have the agreements in place with them,” he said.