Latest news with #AdministrativeAdjudicationofRoadTrafficOffences
The South African
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The South African
New AARTO demerit point system gets an official launch date
Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa has confirmed that the long-awaited Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system will be implemented in 69 municipalities from 1 October 2025. Delivering his Budget Vote speech on last week, Hlengwa said these municipalities are prepared to roll out the system, while the remaining 144 municipalities – not yet ready – will implement AARTO in February 2026. At the time of publishing it remains unclear which municipalities fall into those scheduled to start this year – and next. 'The AARTO will be rolled out in different phases according to municipal readiness,' Hlengwa explained. 'This is phase 2 of the AARTO rollout programme, while phase 3 will begin on 1 February 2026.' The phased implementation follows years of delays, legal battles, and public confusion, including recent fake news reports in June claiming the system was being rolled out nationally – misinformation traced back to an online disinformation campaign using AI-generated content. Citing research that over 80% of road crashes are due to human error, Hlengwa said AARTO is central to government's strategy to change motorist behaviour. At the heart of AARTO is a demerit point system , which penalises drivers for traffic infringements and repeat offences. The AARTO Act and its Amendment Act were both found to be constitutional and valid in July 2023, clearing the legal path for implementation. Although a national rollout was initially scheduled for 1 July 2024, technical and logistical challenges pushed the date back. Once fully implemented: All motorists start with zero demerit points Points are added for each offence when a fine is paid or upheld Accumulating 15 points results in a licence suspension of three months per additional point results in a licence suspension of per additional point A third suspension leads to licence cancellation , requiring the driver to retake their learner's and driver's licence tests , requiring the driver to retake their learner's and driver's licence tests Points expire after three months if no further infringements occur A driver rehabilitation programme will be available to help reduce suspension periods for frequent offenders Violation Fine amount Demerit points Exceeding speed limit by 11-15km/h R250 0 Exceeding speed limit by 16-20km/h R500 1 Exceeding speed limit by 21-25km/h R750 2 Exceeding speed limit by more than 40km/h Court hearing 6 Disobeying a stop sign or traffic light R750 2 Failing to use indicators R500 1 Driving without a licence R1 250 4 Driving unregistered vehicle R1 000 3 Driving vehicle without valid licence disc R1 000 3 Driving vehicle with one number plate R500 2 Driving vehicle without number plates Court hearing 6 Failing to keep left R1 000 3 Failing to stop at an accident Court hearing 6 Driving under the influence Court hearing 6 Furnishing false information Court hearing 6 Following the confusion caused by false reports in June, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) and Department of Transport issued public warnings and clarified that official announcements will only be made via verified government platforms. 'The information being circulated about the AARTO rollout date is fake news,' the RTIA stated. 'We urge the public to rely only on official channels for updates.' With the staggered rollout now clearly defined, the Department of Transport is under pressure to deliver a transparent, efficient, and fair implementation of a system that has sparked both controversy and cautious optimism. Authorities are urging motorists to begin familiarising themselves with the AARTO system and its implications – particularly the demerit system – as South Africa moves closer to a more digitised and accountable road traffic enforcement regime. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
AARTO rollout set for October 2025 in 69 municipalities
The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences system will be rolled out in phases according to municipal readiness from October 1, 2025, for the 69 municipalities that are ready for the rollout. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers The Transport Department has announced October as the new date for the national rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system in 69 municipalities. This was announced by Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa during the department's budget vote debate in Parliament earlier this week, when he said 69 municipalities will be ready to implement AARTO, and 144 were not yet ready. 'The AARTO will be rolled out in different phases according to municipal readiness from October 1, 2025, for the 69 municipalities, which are ready for the rollout,' Hlengwa said. 'This is Phase 2 of the AARTO rollout programme, while Phase 3 will be rolled out on February 1, 2026, for the 144 municipalities that will only be ready then,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The AARTO Act was confirmed as constitutional by the apex court, and the department intends to use it to change the behaviour of motorists. Hlengwa said research has shown that more than 80% of road crashes were due to human error, and that was why there was a call for behaviour-changing efforts on their part. 'To ensure positive changes in road user behaviour, the department will roll out the Administration and Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act, central to which is the demerit system that systematically aims at containing road user behaviour,' he said. The new date for the national roll out of AARTO comes a month after a fake report suggested the imminent roll out of the demerit system that will see motorists lose points for offences and stand to have their driving licence suspended or cancelled should they lose many. In June, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) dismissed any claims suggesting an imminent wider national rollout as incorrect. However, RTIA confirmed that AARTO was currently operational only in Johannesburg and Tshwane. The agency said it was working with the Department of Transport on a draft proclamation of the AARTO Amendment Act. While the draft AARTO regulations have been developed, a selection process towards the appointment of members of the public to serve in the AARTO Appeals Tribunal was at an advanced stage. RTIA also stated that service outlets have been created across the country, and education and community awareness have been ongoing in all nine provinces and on all digital platforms. 'AARTO connectivity of issuing authorities to the e-Natis is under way. Training of the more than 25,000 traffic officers across the country is under way. Preparations to implement the Points Demerit System and the AARTO rehabilitation programme as part of Phase 3 are under way.' According to RTIA, strengthening laws for road traffic compliance was paramount, and the AARTO Act was a vital tool in achieving this. 'Its effective implementation will play a critical role in enforcing these laws and ultimately making our roads safer for all road users.' Meanwhile, the department is moving closer to implementing the 24-hour campaign of visible traffic law enforcement. Hlengwa reiterated the department's commitment to accelerating the implementation of a 24-hour campaign of visible traffic law enforcement across all three spheres of government, aiming to change road user behaviour towards greater compliance with road rules. He said the visibility of law enforcement has proven to be a major contributor to recent achievements in the reduction of road deaths. 'We have thus worked to speed up the resolution of most issues that have delayed the implementation of a 24-hour, seven-day a week and 365 days a year campaign of visible traffic law enforcement,' he said. 'While the country waits for all remaining provinces to finalise their processes and implement a 24-hour shift traffic law enforcement system, the National Traffic Police (NTP) will continue to be deployed to provide support to provinces and ensure greater traffic law enforcement operations across South Africa.' Hlengwa also said the department was reviewing the National Road Safety Strategy that will be submitted to the Cabinet by the end of this financial year. 'The revised strategy will inform engineering interventions, such as the development and promotion of safer road infrastructure designs, safer vehicle technologies, and continuous improvements in traffic management systems. The overall reviewed strategy will include the implementation of stricter traffic laws, vigorous law enforcement operations, and comprehensive road safety education campaigns.' He also said their approach was to improve harmonisation of operations between the three spheres of government through joint planning, inter-agency collaboration, consistency, and shared resources and services throughout the year. 'This will be supported by visible policing through force multiplication and smart deployments on critical routes, focusing on top traffic offences and violations, while intensifying partnerships and collaboration with civil society and media influencers.'
TimesLIVE
10-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Aarto traffic law, points demerit system rollout delayed yet again
Reports that the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Act is being rolled out nationally are false — the driving licence demerit system is not yet in place. This is according to the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) which said there had been recent fake news and misinformation surrounding Aarto, the government's plan to replace the existing criminal system with an administrative one. With Aarto, drivers will lose points for offences and face suspension or cancellation of their licences if they lose too many, in addition to any fine. The controversial act, originally passed into law in 1998, has been hit by numerous delays. It was to have commenced in February 2024 but was deferred to a future date which has not been gazetted. The points demerit system is not operational yet anywhere in the country, including in Johannesburg and Tshwane where Aarto has been piloted for more than a decade, said RTIA spokesperson Monde Mkalipi. 'The points demerit system and rehabilitation programme of traffic infringers are part of phase 3 of the Aarto rollout. Dates for the introduction of the points demerit system are likely to be included in the presidential proclamation which requires to be signed by the president with the date for the commencement of phase 2 and phase 3 of the Aarto national rollout,' he said.
The Citizen
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
AARTO road rule adjustments kick in
With the implementation of the new Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) regulations on June 5, South African drivers will be subjected to substantial changes. Some offences have been categorised as critical under the new AARTO regulations due to their impact on traffic safety. These include speeding excessively, running red lights, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of illicit substances. Each of these infractions involves demerit points, and your driver's licence may be suspended if you accumulate too many points. The rules aim to enforce a better adherence to road rules, which will increase driver awareness behind the steering wheel. For more information on the AARTO rules, contact the Department of Transport on 012 309 3380/3774 or email info@ Answers to some frequently asked questions: • A driver's licence will be suspended upon reaching 12 points. • A licence suspension lasts for three months. • Drivers can appeal against demerit points and fines. • After every suspension, drivers must complete a rehabilitation programme. • Exceptions are rare and typically require legal intervention. • There will still be additional penalties payable if a fine is not settled. • Up to 50% less of the fine amount will be charged for immediate payments. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
No date for national Aarto roll-out yet, says Road Traffic Infringement Agency
No date for national Aarto roll-out yet, says Road Traffic Infringement Agency No, demerit points for motorists are not yet in effect across the country. This is according to the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), which refuted on social media that the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Act 4 of 2019 has been rolled out nationally. The agency states that Aarto is only operational in Johannesburg and Tshwane. 'It has come to our attention that fake news about the Aarto roll-out date has been spread. RTIA assures the public that an official statement will be released when the next phase is implemented,' a social media post reads. 🚨 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT It has come to our attention that fake news about the AARTO rollout date has been spread. RTIA assures the public that an official statement will be released when the next phase is implemented. AARTO is currently operational in Johannesburg and Tshwane — RTIA – Home of AARTO (@rtia_aarto) June 5, 2025 Delays The implementation of Aarto, despite being declared constitutional by the Constitutional Court in July 2023, has faced multiple delays for various reasons. As of February 2024, unresolved issues included the appointment of a tribunal to manage appeals, which is essential for the system's operation, according to a report by TimesLive. Business Tech states that Aarto has four phases: In Phase 1, Aarto focused on setting up the necessary infrastructure, including service outlets, and enabling the electronic national administration traffic information system to process payments. Phase 2 will see Aarto rolled out to 69 municipalities. Phase 3 will extend implementation to the remaining 144 municipalities. Phase 4 will introduce the demerit point system and a rehabilitation programme for repeat offenders. How does Aarto work? According to the RTIA, the Aarto process involves three steps with various sub-processes. The three steps are: Infringement notice, courtesy letter and enforcement order. This X post explains the process: 🚗🚦 The AARTO process involves three steps with various sub-processes depending on the motorist's reaction. It is the motorist's responsibility to act. Failure to do so will result in consequences. — RTIA – Home of AARTO (@rtia_aarto) June 5, 2025 Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
