AARTO could be implemented from July this year

Photo: Motorpress

Recently, concerns were voiced that the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) was not to improve road safety.

Despite protests by many – in most instances – well-meaning organisations, it appears that AARTO will be implemented on 1 July 2021.

The Road Safety Partnership (RSP) said it endorses the intent of AARTO, which is to improve driving behaviour and thus positively impact on road safety.

“While certain bodies continue to address areas of concerns, drivers should prepare for the implementation of AARTO nevertheless. Once concerns are resolved, AARTO has potential to positively impact road safety and the incidents of crashes on the roads. 

“Yet, considerable preparation is needed from all drivers, whether in their personal capacity or as a driver for a company. The RSP urges drivers to start preparation as soon as possible. This includes familiarising themselves with the act, identifying the behaviours that are repeatedly penalised or which they know they are guilty of and determining what their company’s planned AARTO policy will be,” the RSP said in a statement. 

While many may feel some reluctance to accept the implementation of AARTO, it is unlikely it will not happen. “If motorists are prepared for the act, their concerns should be unfounded. If they take action now and change their own bad driving behaviours, AARTO can only have a limited impact on one, if any impact at all. 

“It is habitual non-compliance that will allow AARTO to affect drivers. Critically address any non-compliance, even before the act comes into effect, and it will substantially limit the potential effect that AARTO can have.” 

The RSP urges all drivers to prepare for AARTO. “Whether the act is implemented as is or addresses recent concerns, if all drivers were to prepare for AARTO, it would have a considerable impact on not only each person but the general state of road safety in South Africa as well,” said the RSP.

Source: RSP media statement

More about AARTO

The AARTO, Act which was promulgated in 1998, seeks to achieve the following:

• to promote road traffic quality by providing for a scheme to discourage road traffic contraventions,
• to facilitate the adjudication of road traffic infringements,
• to support the prosecution of offences in terms of the national and provincial laws relating to road traffic,
• to implement a points demerit system; and
• to provide for the establishment of an agency to administer the scheme.

The Points Demerit system can be explained as follows:

• Each driver will start out with zero points (irrespective of the number of classes of vehicle licences held);
• Points are allocated according to infringements or offences committed (there are different values for different infringements and offences);
• Points are incurred (allocated) on the date a penalty (fine) is paid or when the person is convicted of the offence (as the case may be);
• Operators receive points separately from their drivers (ie a transport company receives points allocated to the operators permit);
• When you reach 13 points and more, the licence (and / or operator card) is suspended with effect from 32 days after the maximum points (12) have been reached;
• The suspension period is calculated in months equal to the number of points exceeding 12, multiplied by three (or such number as may be prescribed by the Minister of Transport);
• The number of points (demerits) added will depend on the severity of the offence;
• The driver / operator may apply for the return of the licence on expiry of the suspension (disqualification) period;
• A driver / operator who is disqualified for the third time will permanently loose the licence / operator card and will have to reapply for testing and issue (as if a first time licence / operator applicant) after expiry of the disqualification period;
• Demerit points will be reduced (for all persons / operators) at a flat rate of one point per every three months (or as otherwise prescribed), except in the case where evidence points to the fact that the process has been deliberately delayed to obtain a reduction in points.

Source: https://www.arrivealive.mobi/demerit-system

Download the full Aarto Demerit System points below.