Toll Fraud Epidemic in Morocco: 5,400 Daily Violations Costing Millions

The phenomenon seems trivial but carries many consequences. Apart from material damage, accidents at toll plazas and disturbances to traffic, "Autoroutes du Maroc" talks about significant financial losses that can reach 30 million DH annually on an average toll of only 15 DH.

However, Article 184 of the Highway Code stipulates that violation of the toll is considered a first-class offense, punishable by a fine of 700 to 1,400 dirhams. The frequency of these violations has also prompted the reaction of Mohamed Abdennabaoui, President of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Indeed, he had asked the various prosecutors of the courts to pay particular attention to the complaints filed by the National Motorway Company of Morocco so that the legal provisions required in this type of offense are taken.

Among the various techniques used by fraudsters to bypass toll barriers, the most popular called "Little train" which consists of sticking the bumper of the car in front at a toll to avoid paying the due passage fee and take advantage of the opening of the barrier to pass before it falls back very quickly.

A video surveillance system at the toll plazas, connected to the central system of the ADM headquarters, makes it possible to detect infractions by recording the license plates of the offending vehicles.