The National Roads Authority is to announce penalties for motorists who fail to pay their tolling charges when the M50 goes barrier-free, writes Tim O'Brien
Tough new penalties for motorists who fail to pay their barrier-free tolling charges in advance or on time, are to be announced by the National Roads Authority (NRA) this week.
The authority will also reveal plans to pursue Northern registered cars through commercial debt collectors in a move designed to get around the traditional "immunity" from prosecution enjoyed in the South by northern motorists and vice versa.
Under the proposed enforcement regime, a mixture of inducement and penalties will be used to ensure compliance when the M50 goes barrier-free next August.
While the NRA last week outlined the various methods of payment and charges, the board of the authority has not yet revealed the range of penalties for those who do not pay up by 8pm following the day of travel.
But The Irish Timesunderstands the scale of penalties are to be broadly in line with Garda fixed payment fines. Initial letters will issue within five working days to the registered owner of the vehicle, requesting payment of the toll charge, plus "reasonable" back office charges for issuing the letter.
If this is not paid within 10 working days, the fine increases and if this is not paid within a specified time - probably in the region of 28 days - the account will be handed to debt collectors.
A debt collector may add additional administrative costs and ultimately take the transgressor to court to obtain a commercial judgment against them.
The NRA was remaining tight-lipped on the actual amount of the proposed fines yesterday, but it is understood the levels will be similar to parking fines.
Current Garda fixed payment parking fines start at €40 and rise to €60 if not paid within 28 days. After 56 days, a motorist is automatically taken to court.
While the NRA has no statutory powers to take motorists to court outside the State, it is in discussions with authorities in the North to provide reciprocal access to the registers of vehicle owners.
These owners will be pursued in the ordinary fashion and, if they ignore the process, a debt collection agency will be used to secure a judgment against them in the Republic, which would be enforceable in the northern courts.
However, it is not thought likely that either British or other out-of-State vehicles will be pursued.
The preferred method of payment from the NRA point of view is that motorists use tags. The authority points out that these are usable at all toll facilities in the State, and for motorists using a tag there will be no rise in charges come the August changeover.
But the authority says for the "tag resistant" it will be possible to log in the details of their vehicle registration plate and credit or debit cards.
Once the vehicle uses the facility, the money will be deducted from their account. However, an increase, in the case of a car from €2 to €2.50, will apply. Pro rata increases for other vehicles will also apply.
Those who do not have a tag or have not registered will have until 8pm following the day of travel to pay an increased charge - €3 for a car - at any one of 2,000 outlets using the current Alphyra bill pay system.
The NRA would not say what the commission to the stores is to be, citing commercial sensitivity.
A spokesman said the announcements would be made before the end of the week, "possibly Thursday, but if not, on Friday".