The new Administrative Adjudication of Traffic Offences Act governing the issuing of fines and the controversial licence points demerit system has been launched with a pilot study in Tswane.
Overseen by the Road Traffic Management Corporation, the Act is expected to have a huge impact on the way South Africans drive. Under the new Act, all drivers will receive their “infringement notices” within five days and have the opportunity to reduce the amount payable by 50% if payment is received within 32 days.
Payments received outside of this period will have to be for the full amount and will incur administrative costs. If, after a series of notices, the payment remains outstanding, the Sheriff of the Court will have the right to seize and sell movable property to cover the debt.
Licence points demerit system
The controversial points demerit system will only be introduced in the national roll out from early 2009, and is not part of the Tswane pilot project. A driver will incur a set number of points for each traffic offence committed. This will be awarded against his/her licence.
After 12 points have been exceeded, an automatic driving ban for a period in months equal to three times the number of points over 12, will be effected.
Should a driver be disqualified a third time, the licence will be permanently revoked. He/she will need to re-apply for a learner’s licence after the disqualification period has elapsed.
Points can be reduced at a rate of one point per three-month period, under the provision that no other demerit points are incurred during that period.
In announcing the pilot project, the RTMC noted a high rate of non-compliance with speed limits and other laws. Only 20% of traffic fines are paid, the agency said.
According to the new Act, fines, which have until now been handled by municipalities, will now cross municipal and provincial borders.
It will also facilitate a tighter collection process, the agency said, as well as generate a reliable revenue stream that will be used to improve road safety.
Visit the Arrive Alive Road Safety Website for a detailed presentation on the historical background to AARTO, or the recently launched AARTO website.
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