By Ntsebeng Motsoeli
MASERU — The days of motorists dodging spot-fine payments will soon be over.
Government is planning to introduce a mobile automated spot-fine system which will capture data that will help trace defaulters.
Currently most drivers who get spot-fines can avoid paying by simply providing false details to the traffic officers.
Even if they give their correct details they can also avoid paying because there is no system to trace them.
The result is that most motorists don’t see the spot-fine as a deterrent.
Police spokesperson, Inspector Thato Ramarikhoane said the new system will capture the information of the vehicle, including the registration number.
Once computerised the information will reflect in the system across the country and will show if a vehicle has an outstanding fine, Ramarikhoane said.
“The new system will make it easy to find vehicles whose fines have not been paid.
“It will capture the information of the vehicle like its registration number and other particulars,” Ramarikhoane said.
He said many motorists have avoided paying fines because the police did not have a database to keep the records.
He added that most drivers deliberately provided false information.
Under the current system traffic offenders can pay on the scene.
There is also an option to pay the money at Sub-Accountancy offices.
“There have been more spot-fines issued but few people have paid.
“Therefore less revenue has been collected,” he said.
The Ministry of Police has since invited proposals from licensed companies that can supply, deliver and instal automated mobile spot-fine systems.
“Request for proposal for supply, delivery and installation of automated mobile spot-fine systems which should be able to capture data to be integrated in the registrar and have up- to-date information to be disseminated to law enforcement structures and maintain records in Lesotho,” said the tender document.
The system will allow the police to verify a driver’s particulars and check their record.
The fine for small traffic offences is M30.