How unpaid tolls could land you in prison

ABC News Daily

The cost of toll roads for drivers and even rideshare passengers are hard to avoid and the price attached to each beep of the reader increases every year.

Transurban is the firm that dominates the industry on the east coast and in some states they can even use the criminal justice system to chase toll debts and fines.

The cost of toll roads is prohibitive for many drivers, forcing people to quit jobs across town and pushing truck drivers to use suburban roads instead.

Today, Four Corners reporter Pat McGrath on his investigation into the contracts that governments sign to get nice new toll roads.

He reveals how many contracts allow toll price increases pegged to the consumer price index or at least four per cent, leading to significant revenue for companies like Transurban.

He explores potential reforms and the need for government intervention to address these issues.

Featured:

Pat McGrath, Four Corners reporter

Key Topics:

• Toll roads
• Transurban
• Consumer price index
• Toll debt enforcement
• Government contracts with toll companies
• Toll road reforms
• Cost of living crisis
• Traffic congestion