The DA may take on the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Act, which is currently being rolled out in the country.
According to Rapport, DA local government spokesperson Cilliers Brink said the party is working on recommendations for the implementation of the country’s new driving laws.
This moves comes after the DA claimed power in several Gauteng municipalities, following the recent local government elections.
The Aarto Act will introduce a range of new driving rules in the country, and will penalise drivers who have infringed on traffic laws by imposing demerit points.
These demerit points could lead to the suspension or cancellation of licences, professional driving permits, or operator cards.
A maximum of 15 demerit points can be received by a driver. After this, they will be disqualified from driving their vehicle.
The duration of the disqualification will equal three months for every point over the 15-point limit.
It will also introduce the electronic service of documents, such as traffic infringements.
This means that the new traffic fine system will give motorists the option to receive their fines through the post, via SMS or mobile messaging services, or online – including emails.
Not improving road safety
MyBroadband reported that the DA-controlled Western Cape government has consistently opposed the rollout of the Aarto system.
Cape Town mayoral committee council member for safety and security, JP Smith, said road safety in Johannesburg and Pretoria has deteriorated after Aarto was implemented.
Additionally, Outa has brought a legal challenge against the implementation of the Aarto Act.
Outa said the constitutional validity of two Aarto laws will be challenged, and originally filed its case in July 2020.
“While we believe that measures to improve road safety and reduce fatalities are urgently needed, we don’t believe that the Aarto Amendment Act will achieve this,” said Outa’s Stefanie Fick.
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