Recent news reports claiming that the new South African AARTO system has gone live across South Africa have been disputed by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) as fake news.
The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) is planning an upcoming demerit system to curb traffic violations by charging fines and assigning demerit points when motorists infringe on the law.
During the past week, several outlets have published reports claiming the system would roll out nationally on 5 June.
However, RITA has strongly dismissed these reports as false, stating that the system is only active in Johannesburg and Tshwane and that official announcements would precede a full national rollout.
“It has come to our attention that fake news about the AARTO rollout has been spread. RTIA assures the public that an official statement will be released when the next phase is implemented,” it said.
RITA previously announced that it was revisiting and reviewing AARTO regulations to improve road safety and preparing for the release of the Act nationally.
Currently, the project has only completed phase one of four, with the first phase establishing AARTO infrastructure, including service outlets, and ensuring eNATIS could handle payments.
Phase two will then see AARTO introduced to 69 municipalities, phase three will include the addition of the remaining 144 municipalities, and phase four will involve the rollout of the demerit point system and rehabilitation program.
However, it stressed that any advances made towards the project’s next phase would include an official statement.
About AARTO
The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) new system will use demerits and fines to combat traffic infringements once it goes live.
Motorists will begin with zero demerits and be assigned points as necessary, with any motorist who exceeds 13 in total facing penalties such as license suspension and required retraining.
The number of assigned points will depend on the infringement committed and its severity.
The number of demerit points over the threshold determines the suspension period, each adding 3 months.
It should also be noted that a license card can only be suspended twice, with a third suspension resulting in a license cancellation.
Assigned demerits will also decay with time, with motorists losing one every three months until the score returns to zero.
While this is the intended framework for the new AARTO system, the Gauteng High Court ruled the legislation was unconstitutional and invalid.
However, the Constitutional court disagreed in a unanimous judgment that has paved the way to the eventual rollout of the AARTO.
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