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The toll system without barriers has arrived in Brazil, but it still faces resistance from drivers who do not pay their fees. With fines of almost R$200, the free flow system challenges drivers to adapt to new technologies and rules that promise greater efficiency and fairness in tolls. Will it be the future of Brazilian roads?
Few advances arouse as much curiosity as the free flow, the innovative toll system without barriers that promises agility on highways.
However, a shadow hangs over the model: the high rate of default, which has already resulted in severe fines and raised heated debates. After all, would Brazil be capable of adopting this standard without bottlenecks?
According to the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT), the system free flow It was opened in March 2023 and is a pioneer in the country.
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Located on BR-101, specifically on a stretch that connects Itaguaí, Mangaratiba and Paraty, on the south coast of Rio de Janeiro, the model recorded 8% of defaulting drivers in its first year.
This occurs even with advanced technologies that guarantee the identification of 100% of vehicles passing through the gantries, with extremely high precision in reading tags and plates.
Despite covering 4.824,6 kilometers along BR-101, the system currently operates only on this experimental stretch.
Payment evasion, however, represents a serious infraction according to article 209-A of the Brazilian Traffic Code, subjecting drivers to a fine of R$195,23 and five points on their driver's license.
How does the payment work?
Most drivers use electronic tags to ensure toll payment in a practical and automated way.
Those who do not have the technology can use a specific application for the transaction, a more recent alternative that follows the modernization of the system.
According to data released by ANTT and CCR, the average payment period fell significantly over the 20 months of operation.
In March 2024, payments took an average of 54 days to be made.
Between August and October 2024, this period was reduced to just six days, demonstrating that the system is gradually gaining greater adoption.
Cleber Antonio Chinelato, CCR's Executive Technology Manager, highlighted: “This is a relevant number, considering the region in which the free flow is located, a place where the tags are used, in most cases, only for paying tolls.”
New rules and facilities
To optimize use and increase adherence to the system, the National Traffic Council (counter) approved in October 2024 a series of updated rules for the free flow.
The new set replaces previous standards from 2022 and seeks to promote greater transparency and convenience for users.
Among the changes, the following stand out:
Extended deadline: the period to make the payment has been extended from 15 to 30 days after using the highway.
Flexibility in maturity: If the date falls on a holiday or weekend, payment may be made on the next business day.
Contesting values: Drivers can now question charges they consider unfair.
Centralization of information: the data will be available in applications such as Digital Transit Card, already known by drivers.
Education and signage: new signs were installed to guide usage and dealerships promote educational campaigns.
Another relevant novelty is that drivers now pay only for the distance traveled, instead of flat rates applied to long distances. I
This reinforces the concept of tariff justice, meeting a long-standing demand from users.
Implications and future challenges
Despite the improvements, a major challenge remains: preventing payment evasion, which has already led the system to implement strict measures.
Vehicle images are stored for 90 days for regular drivers and up to five years in the case of defaulters.
In the case of vehicles registered abroad, departure from the country is blocked until all fees are paid.
In the future, the system is expected to be expanded to other Brazilian highways, with adaptations that minimize initial problems. Is the country ready to fully adopt this technology and overcome resistance?
Today, this method will still confuse the driver.
If you go through a toll booth without a toll collector or a barrier, you will think that the passage is free and the shock of the toll fine will only come when you pay the IPVA.
What about tax-exempt cars? They won't even know they have a fine.
I agree with the toll charge, but I disagree with the aforementioned “severe fines” that are already being applied.
If the person is not aware of the toll charge, it is unfair to charge an exorbitant fine and still run the risk of losing their license for unknowingly exceeding their points. After all, they are not violating the right of way, as access is free.
In my opinion, this can work when 100% of vehicles have automatic toll collection tags, that is, when the use of tags is mandatory. And when this happens, the toll value has to be reduced, as there will be no expense.
You have a car. You're going to travel. Nowadays, wherever you go, there are tolls. It's impossible that with all the people talking about it, all the advertising, someone doesn't know about this type of toll. Unless you have bad intentions. One thing I noticed was that there are few signs. It's full of information.
Hello, Dyl, how are you? With all due respect, I think it is wrong for you to accuse me of being malicious, since that is not the subject of the news. The subject is not about “where you go there are tolls”, but rather about the implementation of toll collection without a toll collector and without a barrier for users who do not use the automatic collection tag. I approve of the idea and have been using the tag for over 20 years, since the year 2000. As I said, today the method will confuse drivers, precisely because of the lack of information. I am sure that this 8% includes foreign drivers who are unaware of this specific fact about Rio de Janeiro. And I am sure that CCR will be successful in this endeavor, but it is only a matter of time.
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