The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act will be implemented nationwide in South Africa starting 1 July 2024.
What will happen when AARTO comes into effect?
When AARTO comes into effect, it will fundamentally change how traffic violations are handled across South Africa.
The system, already piloted in Johannesburg and Tshwane, aims to improve road safety by introducing a more efficient and stringent process for addressing traffic offences.
This includes categorising offences as either an infringement, which will be managed administratively, or serious offences, which will lead to criminal prosecution.
Motorists will start with zero demerit points.
Points will accumulate for each traffic violation, and once a driver reaches 15 points, their license will be suspended for three months.
Accumulating additional points during a suspension will extend the suspension period.
After three suspensions, the driver’s license will be permanently revoked, requiring the driver to retake both the learner’s and driver’s tests.
AARTO demerit system explained in simple terms
The AARTO demerit system is designed to penalise drivers based on the severity of their traffic violations.
Here’s how it works:
- Demerit Points: Every driver starts with zero points. Points are added for each infringement or offence. For example, minor speeding might add one or two points, while more severe offences, such as reckless driving, could add six points.
- License Suspension: If a driver accumulates 15 points, their license is suspended for three months. Each additional point beyond 15 extends the suspension by three months. A driver’s license will be permanently revoked after three suspensions, necessitating a retake of the driving tests.
- Clearing Points: To clear demerit points, a driver must maintain a clean record for three months to reduce their points by one. This provides an incentive for drivers to adhere to traffic regulations.
- Infringement Process: When a driver is issued an infringement notice, they have 32 days to pay the fine at a 50% discount. Alternatively, they can contest the infringement by submitting a sworn statement to the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), which will be reviewed by an independent officer. If the contest is rejected, the driver can choose to go to court or pay the full penalty, including any additional costs.
