Mit - Index

Mit - UVK_Sinfo_2008_10_št.14 - Index

INtERviEw
movement in the territory of internal market. In addition, Slovenia
also emphasises the positive effects of implementing vignettes
in ensuring higher traffic flow capacity, reducing queues at toll
stations, reducing traffic on secondary roads, protecting the
environment, etc.
Vignettes are valid both for domestic as well as foreign users,
and the implementation of vignettes brought to Slovenia exactly
what the government wanted - among other things, the positive
effects this year in the summer season were also felt by foreign
tourists.
We are of the opinion that Slovenia does not treat foreign
citizens unequally compared to its own citizens. It is neither
direct nor indirect discrimination, because the implementation of
vignettes does not establish criteria which could be fulfilled only
by domestic or by foreign citizens and would therefore lead to
possible discrimination.
The criteria are the same for everybody, and the requirement to
drive on Slovenian motorways is the purchase of a vignette at a
price which is the same regardless of citizenship. The fact that
the system is more favourable for those who drive more than
for those who drive less does not lead to the conclusion that it
is more favourable for domestic and less favourable for foreign
citizens.
A relatively high proportion of foreign users use the Slovenian
motorway network quite often, therefore especially for them,
the implementation of vignettes with regard to its low price
represents an improvement of the situation. On the other hand, a
high proportion of Slovenian citizens use the motorway network
only occasionally.
On the Gorenjska motorway alone, for example, traffic increased
by 12,000 vehicles per day. Before, drivers used secondary roads
to avoid payment. That now means that many fewer vehicles on
secondary roads, which increases traffic safety.
Let me also say that a vignette represents the time lease of a
route. Already as a measure allowed by the EC, a vignette is not
the most optimal; a vignette will be fairest when we pay according
to the kilometres actually driven. Also, the price represents a
proportional measure, which means that the half-yearly price is
proportional to toll payment. If you drive to Croatia, you will pay
for one toll as much as for a half-yearly vignette here.
I think that the very purpose of introducing vignettes, to achieve
the objectives of the European Union for a freer flow on the
motorways, was the first step towards toll collection in free
flow, which vignettes certainly are until the implementation of
electronic toll collection.
WheN WIll that be IMPleMeNteD?
We wish to be the first in Europe to implement electronic toll
collection, which is based on a common system, so it would be
good if other countries start to introduce it in the same time.
Namely, the toll system is so intertwined that it would be cheaper
for users if the system were be more unified. Unfortunately, the
EC is late with the Galileo project and with the directive on
setting up electronic systems.
The system should start to operate in 2010; the EC envisaged
these measures already in a directive in 2008. I believe it is good
that Slovenia is ambitious regarding that, to be the first country
in the EU. We hope it will encourage other countries.
If more of them set up a system together, the system could be
cheaper for all users. Slovenian professionals wish to be active
one in this field.
One of the biggest arguments for implementing satellite system
is to provide the highest possible traffic flow and the lowest
possible air pollution.
sinfo 14 18
CuStOMS OFFICeRS ISSueD 1896 FIXeD
PeNalty NOtICeS FOR VIgNetteS IN
the tOuRISt SeaSON
During the tourist season, the Customs Administration
of the RS intensified their checks on vignettes, from
July to 9 September issuing 1896 fixed penalty notices
and 934 warnings.
11 mobile units and the customs officers at the Obrežje
border crossing were directly included in this activity.
At all other border crossings with Croatia, customs
officers provided all required logistics support,
including the distribution of informative pamphlets
on the use of vignettes.
In 106 especially organised actions, mobile units
most often stopped drivers at motorway rest areas,
petrol stations, toll stations and certain former border
crossings on the western border: ©entilj, Karavanke,
FernetiËi, Vrtojba and ©kofije.
Since the tourist season, the customs service no longer
organises special actions intended solely to control
the use of vignettes; this role is performed within its
otherwise regular work.
As is well known, the amendment of the Public
Law Act, which implemented the compulsory use
of vignettes for journeys on toll roads on 1 July this
year, authorised oversight, in addition to that by the
Transport Inspectorate of the RS and the police, by the
Customs Administration.