Highway tolls for dummies
They say that sunshine is the best cure for corruption, and in the case of the highway-toll malaise, the cure takes the form of elucidation of a complicated issue. Transport Minister Dan Ťok took a big step in this direction with TV appearances on Sun. and again last night. His key message was that the objective of a toll system is to maximize the revenue. This means that if some trucks are bypassing the system by using back roads, you don't spend billions more on new coverage areas and technology just to catch a few scofflaws. You put up road signs banning trucks. The same applies to the toll system itself. If you've already sunk billions into a Kapsch microwave system that you hold title to, you don't throw it away in the name of a "technologically neutral" tender. This blows holes in the arguments of Bohuslav Sobotka, Jan Birke and others who are so intent on giving PPF another steady revenue stream with its satellite toll system.
Glossary of difficult words
dummy - a stupid person, but often used in a kind, teasing way; "For Dummies" is a series of instructional or reference books meant to simplify difficult topics, such as computers;malaise - sickness, illness or general discomfort;
elucidation - the act or state of making something clear;
to bypass - to avoid or circumvent;
scofflaw - a person who flouts the law, esp. by failing to comply with a law that is difficult to enforce effectively;
to sink (money or effort) into something - to put (money or effort) into something without the opportunity to recover it;
to hold (the) title to - to be the owner of;
to blow holes (a hole) in something - to ruin the effectiveness of something.