BLOEMFONTEIN – The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Amendment Act (Aarto) will take effect in 69 municipalities on 1 December.
This comes after Aarto Act was published in the Government Gazette on 31 October.
The activation of this act is a new chapter in South Africa’s battle against road fatalities. According to statistics, around 38 to 40 road users perish daily on South African roads.
According to Monde Mkalipi, spokesperson for the Road Traffic Infringement Agency, the aim of the new law is to change the behavior of road users.
The activation of Aarto in 69 municipalities across South Africa, is the second phase of implementation. The first phase was a capacity building time where the act was tested in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Mkalipi says many says many lessons was learned during the first phase. This included delivering of fines to offenders.
“Up until now, servings were done in person which is by a traffic officer at the place of offence or via registered mail. Now notification will also be sent via email,” he explained.
“The municipalities where Aarto will be activated in December, is according to readiness of officers and equipment in that area,” he explains.
Until such time as the Aarto is effective across South Africa, the previous National Road Traffic Act will still apply.
The last phase the other 144 municipalities will have to adhere to Aarto, is in April.
The Demerit System is planned to take effect from September 2026.
Mkalipi explains that not all traffic offences will lead to demerit points. “It is only offences that can cause fatalities like speeding and other severe offences, that carries fines as well as demerit points.”
He explains that a driver that accumulate more that 15 demerit points, will have his licence revoked.
“Demerit points will only be activated after the payment of a fine, which is seen as a admission of guilt. After 15 demerit points are accumulated, a driver’s licence will be revoked and the driver will not be permitted to drive on South African roads.”
He explains that such a person will have to follow a driver rehabilitation programme, after which the driver will have to re-apply for a learner’s licence and thereafter a driving lisence.
In this way, repeat offenders will be punished, while the hope is that there will be less fatalities in roads throughout South Africa.
Fines that is paid within 32 days, will have a 50% discount. Payments can also be done in monthly instalments.
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