Fines SA CEO Barry Berman has stated the era of speeding fines, as motorists have come to know them, is ending, and that the country’s new traffic laws will catch up with those who fail to pay on time.
The CEO recently warned households to check whether they have outstanding traffic fines before they go on holiday this Easter weekend.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Berman explained that the country’s traffic fine system no longer relies exclusively on post and that fines are tied to motorists’ ID numbers and business registration numbers.
This means that traffic fines do not disappear, and can become a consistent thorn in a motorist’s side.
“The technology has caught up, and the days of fines just disappearing are definitely long gone,” Berman said.
“Even if you are not a driver of the vehicle, you may be the responsible person of a fleet. You may get a big surprise.”
Additionally, Berman warned that motorists who fail to pay their outstanding fees can face arrest if their fines escalate to a warrant.
South Africa’s road laws and enforcement technology have advanced considerably in recent years, with cameras that can now detect poor driving behaviour, such as driving while using a mobile device.
“AI cameras have been out for a while. Motorists are quite surprised when they do get these images in the post, if the fines do arrive, because they’re not getting stopped anymore,” Berman said.
“These cameras are suspended on bridges across South Africa. There are also average speed cameras, so you’re not even seeing the cameras anymore; it’s just taking a picture from one point to another.”
The CEO noted that holiday periods, such as the upcoming Easter weekend, typically see a much larger law enforcement presence on the roads, as officers are deployed to monitor reckless driving, unroadworthy vehicles, and other safety hazards.
Officers at roadblocks can also check to see if a motorist has any outstanding fines or warrants.
Individuals can check if they have any oustanding traffic violations on platforms like Fines SA.
However, Berman cautioned drivers to be wary of SMS notifications claiming they have outstanding fines, as they are likely to be a scam.
“At Fines SA, we don’t send out SMSes at all,” he said.
When you can be arrested for traffic fines
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) recently stated that its officers cannot arrest drivers for most unpaid fines issued under the Administrative Adjudication of Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act.
AARTO is currently in effect in a limited capacity in the Johannesburg and Tshwane metros, but has not yet been introduced nationwide.
The system was introduced as a pilot project in Gauteng in 2008, but the national rollout of the new driving laws has been repeatedly delayed.
Most recently, it was set to take effect on 1 December 2025, but this was later pushed to 1 July 2026.
For now, motorists in Joburg and Pretoria cannot be arrested for most outstanding traffic fines.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla stated that AARTO does not allow for such arrests. However, he noted that officers are allowed to advise or persuade motorists to pay their fines at a traffic stop.
Crucially, he said that officers cannot force motorists to pay on the spot.
Fihla also explained the differences between AARTO and the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), which applies outside of Joburg and Tshwane.
Under the CPA, motorists can be arrested for outstanding fines if a warrant has been issued relating to their offences.
“If it does say a warrant, then there is a possibility that you will be arrested,” Fihla said.
This is relevant for motorists outside of Gauteng planning to travel this Easter, as the rules of the CPA still apply.
Once AARTO is introduced in major municipalities across the country, fines will be handled by a new multistage system.
First, an enforcement notice will be issued, which is followed by a courtesy letter, and finally an enforcement order.
Once an order has been issued, the motorist in question will be barred from renewing their driver’s licence or vehicle licence disc on platforms like eNatis until they have paid their fines.
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