Directorate of Road Traffic defends new fines for motorists
The Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS) says new fines that have been introduced are not meant to punish Malawians but rather to bring sanity on the country’s roads.
The directorate recently introduced fines aimed at among others stopping usage of cars which have not been registered and driving without proper documents.
But the move has angered several stakeholders including the Minibus Owners Association of Malawi (Moam) which has described it as unreasonable.
According to Moam chairperson Felix Mbonekera, the fines coming at a time when government has just introduced carbon taxes that came into effect on November 25 this year which Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) is collecting on behalf of government as motorists renew their vehicle certificate of fitness (CoF), and will take many out of business.
Said Mbonela: “As MOAM we feel some individuals in government are not doing their job properly as regards revenue generation. The end result is that the very same people are the ones paying taxes. Eventually what this will do is take out some people out of business including our members.”
He added: “All in all, for us as Moam, this is a hard blow because as of now the economy is not good and business is not perfect on the roads following stiff competition and introduction of new taxes as well.”
But director of DRTSS Fergus Gondwe defended the move, saying it is their duty to bring sanity on the roads.
“When coming up with fines we do not necessarily mean to punish Malawians but rather to make sure that the roads are safe. If one is driving a car with no proper documentation there are challenges in an event of an accident,” reasoned Gondwe.
A veteran insurer who asked for anonymity concurred with Gondwe that it becomes difficult to settle claims of accidents involving cars with no proper documents.
“We know the economy is tough for many but proper documents are a must on the road because they help in case of accidents,” explained.
Effective New Year’s Day 2020, driving a motor vehicle without a driving licence or a professional driving permit will attract a K15 000 fine, up from K10 000.
Failure to stop a vehicle under traffic order or refusing to comply with directions will cost K20 000 from the current K8 000 while the fine for driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol with above 0.2gramme/210mm remains at K200 000 or in default a three-year jail term and suspension for a year from driving.
A motorcycle overtaking a motor vehicle in the same lane of traffic with the motorcycle, motor tricycle or overtaking a vehicle at the same time as another motor cycle, will be paying a fine of K10,000.
Road users who leave a vehicle on the same place on a road for over 72 hours will be forking out K30,000.
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tiye nazoni bill vs bill a road trafic musiye kukhala nyumba zathu za rent.
Road traffic department and the police Must also stop their corrupt practices
If we want traffic to be rich is our concern because we like to corrupt the officer
This will just increase the size of the bribe to Traffic Police or Road Traffic. If the Road Traffic Department was a listening Department, it would have taken decisive action against these thieves who openly demand bribes and encourage the use of dobadobas. The thieves are: Chigoneka, Fatch, Mumba, Bisika, Kumwenda etc. They openly steal kuti anthu azitukwana boma! Hey government, wake up and discipline these thieves.
Three years for driving without licence. Are we realistic? That is why we can’t develop. Mwina mukanati if involved in an accident or another associated offence but on its own that is dumb.
Malawi government is so desperate to raise money. They abused funds during campaign and zina ndi zomwe Dausi and company akumwera ndi mahule awo. Slowly this place will burn soon. DPP is destructive. A malawi chondo too much. Ma lawyer this was your time to challenge government and protect citizens from being fleeced. But because you will not get paid handsomely like the election case mulibe nazo ntchito. Titukuka liti abale?
Whats the problem? If you are legal and obey the traffic rules it costs you nothing. Why is it that a single minibus at a bus stop must keep their tail sticking into the road hindering vehicle flow when there is ample space for it to pull off the road?
Digging your own relations grave dealer than before. Malawi is cursed
Yes cursed and has a lot of satanists
Ngati ndalama zakuba zachepa ,These are nonstarter to North especially in Karonga.Let one try and will feel the the song.Zonesi kugulira ma tankers tiwonana
Dziko ndilokondela amene amakweza zama fine samagwidwaso ayi olo kulipila
This is the best time Malawian to go street and not accept those business hinderous charges. We should not accept those fees that will make traffic officers more corrupt.
While minibus drivers are a headache on our roads, these new penalties will only assist traffic personnel to enrich themselves.
Worse still, our govt likes penalising the indigenous soul , while foreigners are enjoying in
Sorry for ur kind information. We as foriegners suffer most of the times as wen one foreigner passes a checkpost he is stopped and have to give colddrink. BRIBE. A foreigner pays a different penalty on the road dan a malawian. Alot to mention but less space. So Pls get ur facts correct before u critise the foreigners
Why not just follow the law to avoid enriching the traffic personnel?
You are wasting your time. Who will be collecting this? Is it these corrupt traffic officials? Search me if they will not be pocketing these without handing a receipt.
Corruption/bribery involves 2 parties: the giver and the receiver hence if you are a good citizen when found in the wrong you will pay a full fine and demand a receipt, zomafunsa discount ma fine a boma musiye!
@Kharupa
Please don’t pretend that you don’t kuti wa traffic akufuna galimoto ayipedzele chifukwa achipedza ndithu, olo itankhala ya minister or CEO ya company. The difference is because a traffic amuna ndalama they target soft spots, often minbus drivers.
Ndiye osaoneka ngati anzeru pomwe mukuyankhula zopanda mutu
DRTSS you are very useless and unreasonable! You are there just to punish Malawians. You now infest our roads and you are becoming worse than traffic police. Very corrupt and you overcharge Malawians. Mr Gondwe you are a good Man but your boys are leaping Malawians. Please be reasonable, is it a crime to own a vehicle? It’s high time your decisions should be going to parliament to be vetted because you seem to be headless mechanics.
We know RTDS individually. U will soon see how the angry malawian will act on u rtdss officials. U have victimised ur own malawian. We have seen u growing big. Ambuye ndiwabwino. Check it out!!
On the fines one has a choice: follow the bloody traffic regulations and nobody will penalise you! Osamangolira zili zonse. Fotseki!
K200,000.00 fine or Three years jail term of Driving a vehicle under influence of alcohol is a welcome move.
Lets bring sanity on our roads